Fifty Years On The 
Skirmish Line. 



BY / 

REV. ELISHA B. SHERWOOD, D. u. 

President of the Board of Trustees of Park College. 
INTRODUCTION BY REV. GEO. P. HAYS, D. D. LL.D. 



^OCl 2o 1893 



CHICAGO: 
and 150 Madison St. 



NEW YORK: 
112 Fifth Avenue. 



Publishers of Evangelical Literature. 



OF W**^ 



Fleming H. Revell Company, ^/ & 



\ 



V 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1893, by Fleming 
H. Revell Company, in the office of the Librarian of conerress at 
Washington. All rights reserved. 



PREFACE. 



This book is not meant as a display of what has 
been called "autobiographical egotism." It is 
intended for a tribute to the amazing grace of 
God working through me as His servant. It was 
verily a place on the "Skirmish Line" to which I 
was appointed, and for more than fifty years work 
has pressed upon me and God has blessed me in 
doing it. There are many still living in whose 
memories the events here recorded are fresh; 
they may be helped by the telling of the story. 
My recent years have thrown me into close connec- 
tion with a large body of young people who are 
entering upon life. If this book shall teach them 
courage and confidence in God, and make them 
more efficient soul-winners, it will well repay the 
labor of its preparation. Already in my eighty-third 
year, the call to a higher service cannot be long 
delayed. All this earth-life has been worth while. 
Souls are worth winning. The Gospel is worth 
preaching. It is worth while to labor tirelessly. 
The nearer one gets to the throne the less one 
counts the hardness which a good soldier must 
endure. 



PREFACE 



The manuscript was read and the proofs were 
revised by my young friend, Rev. Cleland B. Mc- 
Afee, Professor of Mental and Moral Science in 
Park College. This assistance, with that rendered 
so kindly by others, is very gratefully acknowledged. 

Elisha B. Sherwood. 



St. Joseph Mo., June 30th, 1893. 



CONTENTS 

Introduction g 

CHAPTER I. 
Parentage and Youth 13 

CHAPTER II. 
Student Life 21 

CHAPTER III. 
Work in Western New York. 39 

CHAPTER IV. 
Central New York 68 

CHAPTER V. 
Work in Michigan 88 

CHAPTER VI. 
Work in Missouri 106 

CHAPTER VII. 
Park College and my Relations to It 195 

SERMON I..... 219 

SERMON II 236 

SERMON III 246 

APPENDIX 257 



INTRODUCTION. 



Biographies are generally written of people 
whose record is remarkable. Most of us have not 
had remarkable histories. To some extent this is 
due to providential facts. We were not given re- 
markable talents, and have not exercised any re- 
markable diligence nor self-sacrifice. Success is 
often due to opportunity. Sometimes success is 
forced by ability to make opportunities. Our 
part is to improve by wise use such opportunities 
as Providence allots to us. We are not held 
responsible for the employment of such things as 
Providence has seen fit to withhold from us; thogh 
others may have them. We have here a biography 
of one whose opportunities were those of common 
men. That he did a great work, was due to special 
activity in making effective use of daily opportuni- 
ties. It is not an easy thing to be content with 
common life, and set ourselves to make it great by 
the greatness of the results. But greatness is not 
an absolute quality to be measured by the yard- 
stick like a man's stature. Greatness is a com- 
parison between opportunity and attainment. Gen. 
Scott was developed by the war of 1812, and Gen. 

9 



io Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

Grant by the war of 1861. There may have been 
great generals between times, but, thank God, there 
were no wars. There are always sinners and mis- 
sion fields and conversions and preachers. Adap- 
tation to the work at hand ; enables an earnest 
man to do a great work in any community. Dr. 
Sherwood succeeded in New York, very much as 
he did in Missouri. 

Circumstances change and fields have their pecu- 
liarities; but human nature and divine grace do 
not materially vary. 

I like to read of these lives which are spent in 
steady work. We cannot all be pioneer foreign 
missionaries like Carey, nor pioneer home mis- 
sionaries like Sherwood; for foreign missions have 
been reduced to a system, the Bible is being rapidly 
translated into all languages, and there is no longer 
any Great American Desert, nor fartherdest border 
frontier in the West. 

The work now is building up the Churches these 
pioneers have planted, and watching new fields 
grow up between the towns. To compact and 
energize churches and presbyteries — to educate 
and guide growing Christians — to encourage needed 
churches and discourage numerous needless enter- 
prises; and all this without offending unwise good 
people, will require as much tact as did the early 
tasks. But the study of the difficulties of these 



Introduction 



ii 



early tasks, and a re-survey of the way these 
difficulties were overcome, will fit us for a careful 
estimate of the real perplexities of our own times, 
and will suggest good plans of applying the gospel 
to modern problems. 

The high esteem in which Brother Sherwood 
is held by his brethren is justified by his record, 
and is explained here to those who have not known 
his early work of laying foundations. This book 
will teach its readers to value aright the labors of 
the early workers — to love their Church as admir- 
ably adapted to pioneer work, and capable of evan- 
gelizing the most unpromising fields of any country 
or city. Presbyterianism is sometimes disparaged 
as unsuitable to hard places. So it is, for as soon 
as it comes into a hard place the place begins to 
improve, and if Presbyterianism continues to work, 
the field becomes attractive. Then those who 
forget the transformation which has been wrought, 
wonder why Presbyterians always pick out such 
good fields. Readers here will find that the good- 
ness of the field is the result of the work. The 
fields were discouraging enough when the work was 
begun, but the reward of the toil was manifest 
in the Garden of the Lord. 

We cannot read of those early revivals without 
wishing to see them once more. But it may be 
true, that in that day of few churches or preachers, 



12 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



amid sparse populations, more serious young people 
came to years of maturity unconverted, than are 
to be found in these days of Sabbath Schools, 
Young People's Endeavor Societies and regular 
means of grace. The children's sacraments of 
circumcision and baptism would indicate that 
God's plan for His church in settled times was 
always for family religion descending through the 
generations. The woodsmen had fine times cut- 
ting down big trees, and blasting out big rocks. 
It took more strength and skill to plow among old 
stumps and stones, than it does to cut a clean fur- 
row quite across a cultivated field; but there may 
be better crops in this latter case. It is the 
resulting crop of ripened grain that we seek; and 
if God gives that by dews and showers and sun- 
shine, we may well be content if there are not 
thunder-storms and floods. Nevertheless we pre- 
fer to read of the great motions of the heavens, 
and we long to see the spiritual heavens all flash- 
ing with the lightning of the divine power. 

So this book should have interest, instruction, 
and encouragement for all. May God raise up 
more men with such a personal history and such 
experiences of good seed-sowing. 

Geo. P. Hays, 
2nd Pres. Church, Kansas City, Mo. 



FIFTY YEARS ON 

THE SKIRMISH LINE 

CHAPTER I. 

PARENTAGE AND YOUTH. 

As I began my theological studies in 1835 I 
dropped into diary writing and in years that have 
intervened have filled some two hundred and 
seventy pages of foolscap with the events and items 
that I have noted from day to day and from year 
to year, therefore I believe that I can better 
arrange these facts and give to my friends a more 
satisfactory record than any one coming after me. 

I was born in Fairfield, Franklin county, Ver- 
mont, on the 15th of April, 18 10. My parents 
were John" Sherwood, son of Nathan Sherwood and 
Joanna Noble. My mother was Lucy Barber, 
daughter of Judge Elisha Barber, and Elizabeth 
Adams. In February, 181 5, my parents removed 
to Phelps, Ontario Co, N. Y., where my father 
purchased a farm near the village of Orleans. It 
was here in my seventh year that I received my 

first religious impressions. I had with neighbor- 

13 



14 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

ing boys spent the Sabbath at Clifton Springs. 
On returning home my mother took me to her 
room and inquired where I had spent the Sabbath. 
I told her about our visit to the springs. She told 
me I had been a naughty boy and sinned against 
God. I asked her why I could not do as other 
boys did. Her answer was, "You are God's child. 
The first time I attended church after your birth 
I took you with me and gave you to God and you 
were baptised as God's child by my minister in 
the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy 
Ghost, and you are God's child. You must not 
sin against Him again." This instruction gave me 
an understanding of my relation to God and has 
exercised a controlling influence upon my life. It 
led me to my Savior and into the ministry, and 
has imparted to me a moral courage that has sus- 
tained me in a ministry of more than fifty years. 

In the winter of 1819, my father exchanged the 
property he had in Phelps for uncultivated lands 
in what was then known as the Genesee Country, 
which very soon became Orleans County. The 
country was dotted with here and there a settle- 
ment. Log school houses were the only public 
buildings for schools and religious meetings. One 
day the Rev. Alanson Darwin, a Presbyterian 
minister from Riga, Monroe County, N. Y., whose 
heart was stirred within him to do something for 



Parentage and Youth 



15 



the good of the scattered members of the Presby- 
terian Church, rode up to our door; and said he 
would preach to the people of that settlement, if 
there was a house whose doors were open for such 
objects. My mother told him her house was at 
his service; furthermore, she would send her boys 
out, and invite the people to come and hear the 
stranger. Then and there commenced my home 
missionary work. I little thought it was the first 
lesson in what was to be the greater part of my 
life's work. 

My advantages for education until I was sixteen 
years old, were such as the new settlements could 
provide, and log school houses furnished. In 1826 
our school district erected a frame school house, 
which was used for religious meetings, as well as 
for schools. With a better school house, we had 
better school teachers, of whom I could avail my- 
self four months each year. The remaining months 
were given to work on the new farm. Six months 
of my eighteenth year I attended the Gaines High 
School taught by a Mr. Gazley, who did for the 
youth of Orleans county a great and good work. It 
was in these months my desire was awakened for 
an education. The next winter I taught a district 
school in the western portion of our township. 
Here I learned the truth of that old saw, "A little 
learning is a dangerous thing." 



1 6 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



The winter of 1830, I again attended Gaines 
High School. The following winter, I taught the 
west Gaines district school. It was a pleasant 
community, but rilled with lovers of vain amuse- 
ments. I entered into a full participation of these 
pleasures, until about the middle of Febuary, 1831. 
On returning home on Saturday evening, I found 
a revival of religion in progress in the church and 
community. Two of my sisters and two younger 
brothers had experienced a great change. They 
had give themselves to Christ and his work. They 
had found a Savior. These facts troubled me. I 
attended the meeting that night. What I saw and 
heard troubled me more. I bore up under my 
feelings as best I could, over the Sabbath. I 
made my arrangements to leave early for my 
school, on Monday morning. As I was about 
leaving, I met my dear mother whose eyes were 
red with weeping. I would have avoided her, if 
there had been any way, but I saw it was of no use 
to try. She took me by the hand lest I might slip 
away from her. I listened to her tearful words. 
She pressed me to attend to the one thing needful, 
then and there. I said: "Mother, I have an en- 
gagement to attend a dancing party this week. I 
cannot break it." As we parted that morning, she 
remarked, "If you will dance, remember that I 
shall pray for you." Her prayers took all the 



Parentage and Youth 



17 



pleasure out of that dance, and made me loathe 
the whole thing. Then and there, I lost all love 
or desire for the dance hall. During that week 
my mind often recurred to what might be going on 
in that revival service of religion. On returning 
home the next Saturday night, I found the revival 
widening and deepening I went with the family 
to the meeting. I had a seat beside a young 
friend. As the minister announced the order of 
the meeting, I whispered to my friend: "They 
will not convert any one to night, for they have 
gone to work by the square rule." The meeting 
proceeded as announced by the minister. He 
offered what was to be the closing prayer. But 
it was not to be the close of that meeting. As he 
closed, the Holy Spirit moved my brother Guy to 
follow in prayer, that was indited of the Spirit, 
who gave him such utterance that all felt that he 
was taught of God. That prayer went through me 
like a shock of electricity. Before he closed, I 
was as helpless as an infant child. I could not sit 
on the seat, and lay down upon it. At the close 
of my brother's prayer Elder Chester Frost came 
to me and taking me by the hand, asked me if he 
should pray for me. I said "Yes." He knelt beside 
the seat. I fell from the seat and dropped on my 
knees, and gave myself to the Lord Jesus Christ 
to be his servant. The next morning I heard for 



1 8 Fifty Years on tJve Skirmish Line 

the first time with an understanding heart the 
blessed gospel from a strange minister. Old things 
had passed away and all were new to me. I had 
passed from darkness into light, from death in sin, 
to a new life in Christ Jesus. 

On Monday morning I returned to my school 
which was near its close and finished the term and 
returned with great delight to the revival meetings. 
Everything was new to me. I saw men as trees 
walking. I remained in that state for a number 
of days. I had taken my stand for Christ; but I 
had not the witness of my acceptance. One day 
I was in the grain barn at work. There was a 
pause for some time in the business of the hour. 
I stepped back into a retired part of the barn, 
leaned up against the side, and uttered in a whis- 
per tone, "O Lord Jesus! So reveal thyself to me 
that I may know thou hast accepted the consecra- 
tion I have made of myself to thee." While I was 
praying, the Holy Ghost was shed abroad in my 
heart until I was filled with joy. I began to praise 
God in song and sang everything I could call to 
remembrance. "Jesus all the day long was the 
joy of my song." From that hour I have never 
doubted that God heard and answered my prayer. 
Another thing I never doubted, that the soul 'who 
does receive, believe and confess the Lord Jesus 
Christ is "sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise 



Parentage and Youth 



19 



which is the earnest of our inheritance until the 
redemption of the purchased possession." From 
that blest moment when I felt the sealing witness 
of the Holy Spirit upon me, I was deeply impressed 
with the awful condition of those who are living 
without God and without hope. Then came home 
to me my duty to rescue the perishing and to seek 
and save the lost. I then asked God to use me in 
that work and in this way permit me to undo some 
of the evil of my sinful life. 

I lost my interest in the farm and business gen- 
erally. No place was so enjoyable to me as the 
one where sinners were repenting and turning to 
the Lord, seeking the salvation of their souls. I 
united with the church at Millville, N. Y., on the 
first Sabbath in April, 1831, with three of my 
sisters and three of my brothers. What a joy to 
our dear mother to know that her prayers had been 
heard for her children, and that she was permitted 
to see them at that April communion season, con- 
fessing Christ before their associates! I continued 
on the farm with father and my brothers; each 
brother had his specific work Mine was breaking 
fallow ground. This year my work was on one 
of the out farms, and near a grove of timber. In 
the timber there was a quiet retreat to which I was 
wont to retire, while my team was resting. In 
that wooded retreat my life work was settled. At 



20 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



evening I found a closet in the grain barn. Both 
became hallowed to me. In them I experienced 
that transforming power which was making me a 
new creature in Christ Jesus. The busy season 
on the farm was over, the question for the future 
came up for settlement. The Holy Spirit wit- 
nessed with my spirit that I must leave the farm 
and give myself to a preparation to preach the 
gospel. This was strongly opposed by my father 
and a large circle of relatives. My mother en- 
couraged me to follow my convictions of duty. 

My father offered me an out farm of 80 acres of 
choice land under good improvement if I would 
stay with him and help him locate the other 
brothers as they came to the age of twenty-one 
years. I thanked him for his offer but assured 
him duty pointed to the ministry. He said I 
must throw myself on my own resources. I tried 
to throw myself upon God's promises. A good 
school opened to me for the winter. I taught it. 
At the close of that school I gathered what re- 
sources I could and prepared to leave all and 
follow where duty led. 



CHAPTER II. 



STUDENT LIFE. 

In the fall of 1831, there was opened in the city 
of Rochester, N. Y. , a manual labor school where 
young men, by three or four hours labor per day, 
could pay their board. Tuition was provided 
for by the benevolence of some gentlemen in the 
city. Thrown upon my own resources, I had to 
find a school where I could pay expenses. I was 
cordially received into the Manual Labor School. 
My department of labor was making flour barrels, 
which I took to very quickly. My studies were 
the Latin Grammar and Reader, Algebra and Eng- 
lish branches. The Rev. Dr. William Wisner 
was at that time pastor of the Second Presbyterian, 
afterward known as the Brick Church. This 
church was the home of most of the students, and 
there I put my church letter and joined its 
Sabbath School. I was very soon invited to be- 
come a teacher in a colored Sabbath School. 
They gave me a class of boys in whom I took much 
pleasure. Our Manual Labor School ran along very 

pleasantly until that dreaded scourge, the Asiatic 

21 



2 2 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



cholera, made its appearance in the month of Sep- 
tember, when the school was scattered. I left 
Rochester for Geneva which was spared that fatal 
plague. I entered the preparatory school of Dr. 
Squires and remained there until the frost of autumn 
had purified the atmosphere, when I returned to 
Rochester and entered the college institute under 
the care of Dr. Morgan and Miss Mary Allen, 
adding Greek to my other studies. I remained in 
Rochester during the remainder of 1832 and 1833, 
which were very effective in mental discipline. I 
overstudied and brought on a rush of blood to the 
brain. This with dyspepsia caused me to leave 
study for a time and return home. I resorted to 
physicians for medical treatment. The more I 
came to know of doctors, the more I learned that 
they did not take much of their own medicines. 
Consequently I came to the conclusion that what 
was not good for the doctors was not good for me. 
Instead of dosing with drugs, I began a careful 
study of myself. I learned what food agreed with 
me and what did not, what quieted my system, and 
what unduly excited it. I also learned the relation 
between my physical and intellectual system, and 
the relation of both to my spiritual nature. The 
discipline that I passed through in acquiring this 
knowledge was a painful one, yet its benefits to 
me have been above all price. For the want of 



Student Life 



23 



this knowledge, there are more failures in the 
various professions of life than from any other one 
cause. Solomon says that "he that hath no rule 
over his own spirit is like a city that is broken 
down and without walls." 

I gave the most of the year 1834 to the acquisi- 
tion of that knowledge which enable me to rule my 
own spirit. With this acquisition, came the 
question, What shall I do? Shall I with my shat- 
tered health and limited finances attempt a full 
college course or with what discipline I have, enter 
a theological seminary, and there take a full 
course? I took this question to my Heavenly 
Father, and asked Him for that wisdom which 
would enable me to decide it. I decided to go to the 
Lane Theological Seminary. On the 15th of 
October, 1834, I left for Lane Seminary byway of 
Buffalo; from Lake Erie to Cleveland, from 
Cleveland to Wellsville by stage and from there by 
the Ohio river to Cincinnati. I was cordially 
welcomed by the faculty, including Rev. Lyman 
Beecher, D.D., Professor of Theology, Rev. Calvin 
E. Stowe, D.D., Professor of Biblical Criticism, 
and Professor Biggs of Church History. I entered 
the only theological class in the seminary at that 
time. There were in this class Henry Ward and 
Charles Beecher, Robert Stanton and others. I 
was assigned a room and took board in the board- 



24 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



ing department of the seminary, and entered upon 
the studies of the class with moderation. From 
that time the darkness that had been over me dis- 
appeared; light shone upon my pathway. The 
Lord provided for all my temperal and spiritual 
wants. I put my letter into the Second Presby- 
terian church of which Dr.Beecher was pastor, and 
began to feel at home in my new relations. I fell 
into the daily round of student life. Soon outside 
work opened, the superintendency of a Sabbath 
School on the Kentucky side of the river at Cov- 
ington. The seminary duties became more en- 
grossing as days and weeks multiplied. Thus we 
passed until near the close of the seminary year 
when I chanced to meet an acquaintance whom I 
made at Rochester, N. Y., in 1832, who informed 
me of the provision for a theological school at 
Oberlin, Ohio, with the Rev. Charles G. Finney 
as Professor of Theology, and a full equipment of 
professors for the thorough training of young men 
for the ministry. He told me also Mr. John 
Rankin of New York City would pay the expenses 
of those who wished to leave Lane for Oberlin. 
While highly regarding the Lane Faculty for their 
kindness to me, I was not in sympathy with the 
leading students of our class, and longing for what 
I knew I should find at Oberlin, I asked the faculty 
of Lane to give me a letter of my standing in my 



Student Life 



25 



class. They very frankly gave me the letter asked 
for. On the 19th of May, 1835, I took passage on 
a steamboat for Wellsville, and from there across 
the state of Ohio, by stage, to Cleveland; thence 
to Oberlin. 

On reaching Oberlin, I found the rush of students 
so great, there was no place to lay my head or 
even to leave my trunk. We had to wait until 
temporary rooms could be provided. During the 
fitting up of our rooms I dropped down the lake 
and spent two weeks at home. On returning to 
Oberlin I found the temporary rooms ready; but 
there must be three in a room, and three in a bed. 
With such accommodations a class of sixteen young 
men entered upon our theological studies with the 
Rev. Charles G. Finney as Professor of Theology. 
Rev. John Morgan, Professor of the New Testa- 
ment Scriptures, Professor John P. Cowles of the 
Old Testament Scriptures, and the Rev. Henry 
Cowles, Professor of Church History Rev. Asa 
Mahan was President of the college. All these men 
were in their prime and each strong in the position 
they had been called to fill. Here there was a full 
fledged Christian College and theological seminary 
moving into full work, well equipped amid the forest 
of Lorraine County, Ohio, where the first tree 
was cut down and the first field opened but two 
years before. The college and Theological Semi- 



26 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



nary were planted for Christian and evangelical 
purposes, therefore our faculty were anxious to 
have their students make proof of the power of 
their doctrines to evangelize and Christianize the 
surrounding population. Consequently the students 
were expected to respond to any calls they had 
from surrounding towns. I had not been in Oberlin 
two months when I was invited to visit Rochester, 
Loraine Co., Ohio, and conduct a service on the 
Sabbath. I rode twelve miles on horseback. 
Found a log school house with a clay floor, slab 
seats, and a door hung on wooden hinges that an- 
nounced the entrance of every attendant. " We had 
a good audience to whom I gave my first home 
missionary address. They invited me to return in 
two weeks. I did so; and continued my visits 
alternate weeks until members sufficient to organ- 
ize a church asked that organization be given 
them. A church was formed and a supply was 
secured and I was at liberty to take another 
vacancy. Soon there came a man from Ridgeville, 
a town adjoining the county seat, and stated his 
case, and asked for a volunteer to go and hold 
meetings in a town that had driven out every 
minister that had attempted to hold meetings there 
for the last two years. I accepted the invitation, 
and the man was to announce service for the next 
Sabbath. I went over on Saturday evening. 



Student Life 



21 



Sabbath morning we met at the little church where 
I talked to six adults and some children. I gave 
notice of a meeting at four o'clock, and took recess 
for dinner. As I went to my place for dinner, I 
passed two hotels around which I counted forty 
men. At 4 P. M. we had twenty adults, and some 
tears which encouraged me to leave an appoint- 
ment to return in two weeks. At this meeting we 
had a fair audience. Arrangements were made to 
continue meetings on alternate Sabbaths. I found 
there a small church in the midst of the boldest 
infidels that I have encountered in a ministry of 
over fifty years. I held services in their church 
mornings and afternoons; and at nights in their 
school house. God blessed our efforts. Back- 
sliders were reclaimed; their children were con- 
verted. A revival of religion began. We thought 
best to call in a minister and have the ordinances 
administered to this oppressed church. The time 
was fixed. Saturday preceding we held a prepar- 
atory meeting. Five persons came forward and 
asked to join the church. They were examined 
and accepted. We made arrangements for the 
reception of the new members and for the Lord's 
supper, and a prayer meeting at nine o'clock, A. 
M. The news went out from the Saturday meeting 
what had been done. The infidels got together 
and said: "This revival matter must be stopped 



28 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



now." They gathered what cattle there were feed- 
ing on the grass in the plot of the town and drove 
them into the meetinghouse, opened the Bible and 
put into it a handful of salt and shut in the cattle 
and left them there! On reaching the church the 
next morning for the prayer meeting appointed for 
nine o'clock, you can judge in what condition we 
found it. The question was asked me, "What can 
we do. " I answered, "There is but one thing to do: 
clean out this house. You that have shovels, 
mops, and pails bring them as quick as you can." 
The house was cleaned up and ready for the regu- 
lar service at ii o'clock. The Holy Spirit was 
with us in great power. The members were re- 
ceived. The sacraments were administered. The 
banner of the cross of Jesus was flung to the breeze, 
and has floated in triumph in Ridgevilla ever since. 
We organized a Sabbath School, our congrega- 
tions increased steadily, converts were from time 
to time received. I continued my labors until my 
graduation from Oberlin. During this time I 
encountered the most determined opposition that I 
have met in my long ministry. It was there I 
learned not to fear hard cases nor shun hard places. 
The great Head of the church was schooling me 
for my life's work. It was there that the Holy 
Spirit revealed Himself to me. I was conscious of 
His indwelling power which carried me beyond my- 



Student Life 



29 



self, enabling me so to preach the gospel that in- 
fidelity quailed before the simple presentation of 
Christ crucified, the only hope of the lost soul. 

Almost the entire region of country at this time 
was without suitable houses of worship. To 
meet this state of destitution, Prof. Finney sent to 
New York City for a tent that would hold 1,200 to 
1,500, for holding meetings in the destitute towns. 
The tent was furnished by friends in New York 
and came on in August. It was thought best to 
give the theological class a short vacation that 
they might prove the gospel the power of God unto 
salvation. They were to go out and spread the 
new tent in Dover, a growing town which was 
readily accessible from surrounding towns. We 
held meetings daytimes and at night scattered out 
to hold meetings in surrounding towns in their 
school houses, wake up the people to the subject 
of religion and gather them with us at the tent the 
next day. It was so ordered that I went at night 
to the town of Avon that joined Ridgeville on the 
north. There had settled a colony of English 
families with an organized Congregational Church, 
and a pastor by the name of Sadd. He was anx- 
ious that I should talk to his people from night to 
night, as long as the tent meeting continued. 
When the tent meetings closed, the interest in 
Avon had become so great that it was thought best 



3 o 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



for me to remain in Avon and do what I could in 
directing anxious souls to Christ. I realized in 
some measure what it was to stand between the 
living and the dead. At one of the week day 
afternoon meetings, after singing, I asked if there 
were any present who desired special prayer for 
themselves. There arose one of the principal men 
of the town, and said: "Do pray for me." Then 
another leading man in the town who seemed very 
much in earnest. Then a lady came and knelt 
in deep emotion at the table where the pastor and 
myself were sitting. "What shall I do? What 
shall I do?" she cried. The pastor turned to me 
and said: "What shall we do?" I gently laid 
my hand on his shoulder, and said, "Stand still 
and see the salvation of God." There passed 
through that audience an awful sense of the pres- 
ence of the Holy One. Prayers were offered and 
answered for those that had asked prayer. At that 
meeting the waters of life were unsealed and the 
life giving stream flowed from house to house and 
from heart to heart until about one hundred drank 
of the living waters within the next two weeks. 
The entire township felt its quickening power. From 
after visits made there I learned of its genuine and 
vitalizing power, and of God's saving grace to that 
dear people. 

We returned from our vacation of work to sys- 



Student Life 



31 



tematic study of theology, to Hebrew of the Old 
Testament and the Greek of the New Testament. 
These were golden, happy days that passed 
too quickly through the years of 1835 and "36, and 
brought us to the time when we had completed the 
curriculum of study and passed through a critical 
examination of the studies of the senior year. 

Wednesday the 14th of September, 1836, was 
our graduation day. The forenoon was given to 
Professors Henry and John P. Cowles. The ex- 
ercises were held in the tent. The afternoon was 
given to our class, the first to graduate from 
Oberlin. I was the second speaker. The audience 
said the class honored the professors who had in- 
structed them. 

On Thursday the 15th of September, the 
Western Reserve Association, a Congregational 
body, met at Oberlin, and decided to grant ordi- 
nation to those candidates who were intending to 
labor without their bounds. Six candidates came 
before them and asked ordination, to wit: John W. 
Alvord, John T. Pierce, Hiram Wilson, William 
Putman, Charles W. Gurney and Elisha B. Sher- 
wood. After the examination on personal piety 
the association adjourned until Friday morning at 
eight o'clock. 

The association met at eight o'clock Friday 
morning, and proceeded with the examination of 



3 2 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



the candidates for ordination. Their examination 
was sustained and arrangements were made for 
ordination to the ministry of the gospel. Presi- 
dent Rev. Asa Mahan preached the sermon from 
Gal. 5:1, "Be ye followers of God as dear children." 
The ordaining prayer was offered by the moderator 
of the association. Rev. Mr. Rockwell. The charge 
to the candidates by the Rev. John Keep D.D. 
right hand of fellowship was extended by the Rev. 
Prof. John P. Cowles. The services were solemn 
and impressive throughout. In my diary of Sept. 
16th, 1836 is the following: 

"O! Thou who hath said, Go preach my gospel, 
go teach all nations, open before me that door 
where I can be the most useful and my labors the 
most effectual for the salvation of souls. I ask not 
the riches nor the honors of this world. I do desire 
to honor the Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him to 
give me souls for my hire, food and raiment for 
the body, and a place in His kingdom where I may 
praise Him through all eternity that He has counted 
me worthy to enter the ministry of the gospel." 

Before our class separated we agreed to return 
to Oberlin the next summer and attend a full course 
of lectures on pastoral theology to be given by 
Prof. Finney. 

On the 21st of September, in company with 
Prof. Dascomb and wife, I left Oberlin for my home 



Student Life 



33 



in Millville, Orleans Co., N. Y., reaching there 
on the 24th. Had a warm welcome. On the Sab- 
bath following I preached morning and night at 
Millville to more of my relatives than I have ever 
been permitted to address since. I gave the fol- 
lowing week to visiting relatives and friends. The 
next week my sister Jane was married to Mr. John 
C. Cheesman, who after marriage became a physi- 
cian, raised a family of five sons and one daughter. 
One of the sons became a useful minister of the 
gospel but died early. Two of them are successful 
dentists. One is a physician and one a lawyer. 
The daughter married a physician. My sister was 
a noble Christian mother, and sleeps beside her 
mother in the old cemetery given by father in the 
year 1821. 

The second Sabbath in October, 1836, I assisted 
my young friend Joel Potter a licentiate who was 
supplying the Lyndonville church of Niagara 
Presbytery. At a communion season I preached 
for him, and for the first time administered bap- 
tism and served our Lord's table, after receiving 
five members to the church. This was the first 
meeting with Bro. Potter since we commenced the 
study of Latin together. We had grown up to- 
gether and were converted in the same revival of 
religion. He was a good man. He died early. 

During the latter part of October, I was invited to 



34 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



supply the Congregational church at Riga, Monroe 
Co., N. Y., until the time of return to Oberlin next 
summer. I accepted the invitation and entered upon 
my work there. I took board with an aged couple 
who had divided their farm with an only son who 
had built a house on the opposite side of the road. 
The wife of the son was an interesting Christian, 
who enjoyed meetings. About the middle of 
December she was taken suddenly ill. Her 
case assumed an alarming aspect, soon all hope 
was abandoned. She had called her husband to 
her bedside and given him her dying charge for 
the two bright sons she was leaving. She lay back 
upon her pillow, after a few minutes she exclaimed: 
"Oh, what beautiful music! Don't you hear it?" 

We did not, but Mrs. Little did. What a glow 
of delight illuminated her countenance! She had 
reached the Beulah land. There was glory in her 
soul. Oh, such a death! It seemed as if there 
was a full company of ministering spirits waiting to 
convey her spirit to the mansions of the blessed. 
Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord! 

As I stand on the departing verge of 1836, I can 
truly say that it has been the most important year of 
my life. The Lord has prospered me in all that I 
have put hand to. A year of increase in Bible 
knowledge, of faith in God, of communion with Him. 
My health has been almost perfect, temporal wants 



Student Life 



35 



have all been supplied. I found it better to trust 
God than men. The Lord has led me through 
my studies and laid upon me the responsibilities of 
a minister of the Gospel. 

January ist, 1837. Preached on our stewardship. 
Ordained Nelson A. Frost, deacon. Administered 
the Lord's supper for the first time to the Riga 
church. Married my first couple on Monday morn- 
ing, Mr. John Philips to Miss Caroline Thompson, 
one of Riga's best girls. 

Left immediately for Darien, Genesee county. 
Stopped with the Rev. Truman Baldwin, whose 
eldest daughter I was to marry the next evening 
The day set for our nuptials was very stormy, the 
wind drifting snow so that the road was nearly im- 
passable, thereby shutting off the attendance of my 
brothers and sisters from our wedding. At seven 
P. M. I was married to Miss Aurelia Munson Bald- 
win, by her father, Rev. Truman Baldwin. After 
the guests withdrew, my father-in-law welcomed 
me to his family in a formal yet affectionate and 
tender speech. I found I had connected myself 
with a large circle of ministerial families. The 
storm abated in time for us to meet our Sabbath 
services. I found in the minister's daughter an 
excellent minister's wife, who had been to her 
father a great help, therefore trained in the 
duties expected of her. 



36 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



We moved on in the usual duties of a supply. 
As the roads became settled, I suggested to the 
congregation a plan for a general visitation of all 
the families in that part of the township in which 
Riga church was located. The congregation 
adopted my suggestions, and the result brought 
quite an addition to the congregation during my 
stay among them. I remained until some time 
in May and then made my arrangements to return 
to Oberlin for instruction in pastoral theology. 
After spending a few days with friends, we left for 
Oberlin. On reaching Lockport, N. Y., I met 
there Rev. Gilbert Crawford, the pastor of the 
First Presbyterian church of Lockport, who in- 
formed me that the Presbyterian church of Wilson 
of the Presbytery of Niagara were anxious to have 
me visit them. He asked me to remain over the 
Sabbath and drive down with his horse and buggy 
and spend the Sabbath at Wilson. This looked 
like a providential opening. Therefore I accepted 
his offer and drove down to see the people that 
were ambitious to see me. We were cordially 
received. I preached to them on the Sabbath. 
They extended a call to me to return to them and 
become their pastor after I had been through 
the course of pastoral theology. We returned to 
Lockport on Monday and resumed our journey to 
Oberlin, which we reached in due time and I took 



Student Life 



37 



up the study of those things that six months' 
experience had taught me I needed. On the 6th 
of July, Prof. Finney gave us his introductory 
lecture to his course on pastoral theology, followed 
with thirty lectures embodying his rich experience, 
his sanctified common sense, enforced by the teach- 
ings of God's word, and pressed down upon our 
hearts by his fervent prayers. Toward the close 
of this course he came into the class room with an 
expression of countenance that betokened there 
was an unusual pressure upon him. He knelt, 
which was his usual posture in prayer with the 
class, and began thus: "Oh Lord! here is a class 
of young ministers that are soon to leave us. Save 
them from being parrot preachers! May they 
know by blessed experience the power and excel- 
lence of the gospel they preach." He began to 
weep. He prayed and wept until the room was a 
Bochim. At the end of a half hour, he arose, 
looked at his watch and remarked, "Young gentle- 
men, I feel more like praying than talking and per- 
haps you sympathize with me. Let some one lead 
in prayer." The hour was filled up with prayers. 
It was the richest hour of all my theological course. 
It was an hour that brought with it the enduring 
power of the Holy Spirit fitting us to be witnesses 
to the power of the Gospel. Oh, that every can- 
didate for the ministry might enjoy such an hour, 



38 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



the Holy Ghost resting upon him, imparting to 
him a tongue of fire, that will set on fire his hearers 
until they realize that their bodies are the temples 
of the Holy Ghost. Herein lay Prof. Finney's 
great power over men. He knew parrot preachers 
might very eloquently repeat what they had heard, 
yet no soul be saved. Prof. Finney held that soul- 
saving was the great work of every minister of 
Christ's gospel. He says He came to seek and 
save the lost. 

These lectures ran over into August. The time 
spent hearing them was well employed. This in- 
struction was the most valuable of any course in 
my whole study. During this course the class 
met twice a week for special prayer and free con- 
versation on experimental religion. By these 
meetings I was greatly strengthened and enlight- 
ened and drawn nearer my Savior and given a bet- 
ter understanding of His offices and what He will 
do for them who only trust Him. 



CHAPTER III. 



WORK IN WESTERN NEW YORK. - 

We left Oberlin about the middle of September 
and went direct to Wilson, where the door opened 
to us without seeking or asking. Circumstances 
seemed to indicate that Wilson was the place 
where God would have us labor. I entered upon 
work there on the last Sabbath of September, 1837. 
The township of Wilson bordered on Lake Ontario 
on the north. The village of Wilson was a short 
half mile south from the lake. Twelve Mile creek 
emptied into the lake at this point. On this creek 
the Wilsons had erected mills in the early settle- 
ment of the town. Around these mills a village 
sprung up. The Presbyterians had built their 
church there. They had been organized twelve 
years and had not been without meetings on the 
Sabbath for all these years extraordinaries excepted. 
It was organized with only six members and these 
all in one family: Mr. John Holmes and wife, 
Daniel Holmes and wife, Mr. Crosby and wife, 
daughter of John Holmes. These families had 
been thoroughly trained in the doctrines and usages 

of the Presbyterian church. 

39 



4-0 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



They organized for work. Consequently they 
gave notice of a meeting, and invited their neigh- 
bors and families to meet with them. The people 
came out. Mr. John Holmes was an elder in the 
church he had left in Saratoga Co., N. Y. His 
son, Daniel, was made an elder at the organiza- 
tion of their church. The people looked around 
for the preacher. Elder John Holmes opened the 
meeting by reading a hymn. An extemporized choir 
sang the hymn. He then read a portion of script- 
ure and offered prayer. Another hymn was given 
out and sung. Then elder Daniel Holmes 
came forward with a sermon-book and read a ser- 
mon. Another prayer was offered to God, they 
sang the doxology, and were dismissed after a 
meeting for the next Sabbath was announced. In 
this way meetings were kept up from year to year 
when there was no minister to preach to them. 

In due time a Sabbath school was added to the 
reading and prayer meetings. The people who 
loved meetings soon learned where to go on the 
Sabbath. Their congregation increased. God 
gave them a spirit of prayer. Backsliders returned 
to duty; anxious ones began to enquire what they 
should do to be saved. They sent for a minister 
to come and gather in the fruits of their reading 
meetings. These fruits of faithful labor strength- 
ened their faith and they worked on. When they 



Work in Western New York 



41 



called me to be their pastor, they had a church 
house, and a parsonage and were ready to co-oper- 
ate with me. A salary was pledged for my sup- 
port. I was greatly encouraged that God opened, 
unsought, such a field to me. God lifted upon me 
the light of His countenance as I entered into this 
field. He opened the scriptures to me. From 
them I derived much comfort. The Lord gave me 
liberty in preaching. The word was quick and 
powerful to both Christians and careless sinners. 
Backsliders began to confess their sins and return 
to duty. The church came gradually up to their 
duty. South of the parsonage three miles, the 
people of that school district had completed a new 
frame school house. They came to me and asked 
me if I would not come up and hold some meetings 
in their new house before the commencement of 
their winter school. I consulted with the elders who 
thought best to accept the invitation. We made 
our arrangements accordingly, and sent an appoint- 
ment for an evening meeting. One of my elders 
went with me to the first meeting. The people of 
the district were there; we had a good meeting 
and I made appointment for the afternoon and even- 
ing of the next day. There was a good interest in 
both meetings. I repeated the same appointments 
for next day. There were a good many out in the 
afternoon. As I dismissed the afternoon meeting 



4 2 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



and they left, I turned the key on the door and 
shut myself in with God, and wrestled in prayer 
until near time for the evening service. I seemed 
to sink into the atonement of Christ as I had never 
before, and the love of Christ welled up and filled 
me with a fulness that carried me out of myself. 
I realize what the apostle meant when he said, 
"Christ in me full of glory." That night God gave 
me a message that seemed to unseal the waters of 
life to that congregation. Three persons drank of 
the living waters that Christ gave them. Convic- 
tion took hold on all classes in that school district 
and many of them sought the Savior and found 
Him the joy of their lives. We held on some two 
weeks. A number of families joined our church. 

On the first day of January, 1838, we held a 
meeting at our church. There came down to the 
night meeting a sleigh load of young people from 
Cambria to attend that meeting. In the company 
there was a Miss Baker, who got up the party; 
was led to Christ that night ; and made a confession 
of having experienced forgiveness of her sins, be- 
fore her associates, ere she left the church. There 
were three others who experienced the same bless- 
ing in that meeting. Some six months after I was 
sent for, to visit Miss Baker. I was shown to her 
sick-room. As I took a seat near her bed, she 
said: "Mr. Sherwood, I am near the close of my 



Work in Western New York 43 

young life. I felt that I could not leave this world 
without seeing you, and telling you what a blessing 
you have been to me, in preparing me for this 
sick-bed, and what is just before me." She then 
related how she was moved upon to get up that 
sleigh load, and that I should preach the sermon 
I did and that she then gave herself to Christ and 
had the evidence of her acceptance and went home 
a new creature in Christ Jesus. Then she was in 
good health with as reasonable a prospect of life as 
any of her companions. "How good God was to 
prepare me in health for my dying hour!" Blessed 
was the chamber where I met Miss Baker. I read 
God's word to her, sang a hymn, prayed with her, 
commending her to the Savior, then parted with 
her to meet her where there will be no dying. 

The influence of the meeting in that school 
house had awakened a desire for a meeting in a school 
house three miles east of the village of Wilson. 
About the middle of January, 1838, we began a 
meeting at this school house. The interest from 
the first meeting to the last rose with the members of 
the church. In the same proportion did conviction 
take hold upon the impenitent. Christians wept 
over dying men and sinners trembled in view of 
coming wrath. Christians were humbled in the 
dust, the most hardened bowed before the mighty 
power of grace in Christ. The roads became so 



44 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

muddy that horse teams could not bring out the 
people. They put on oxen and wallowed through 
the mud night after night. We continued the 
meetings for two weeks. Those weeks will never 
be forgotten by those who participated in those 
hallowed scenes. 

During the month of February we began a meet- 
ing in a school house some three miles north-west 
of the village, where the fires of an old distillery 
destroyed all moral feeling. For example, I found 
a sick boy in a family who thought themselves re- 
spectable, who at the age of twelve years had never 
heard of Jesus Christ. On preaching to them a 
few nights, conscience awakened under the power 
of the Holy Spirit; backsliders repented and con- 
fessed their sins; stumbling blocks were taken away 
and some conversions were the fruits. Great good 
was done in removing prejudice, silencing opposi- 
tion and sowing the seeds of gospel truth which in 
after years sprung up and brought forth fruit unto 
eternal life. While this meeting was in progress 
I received a letter saying that my eldest sister, 
Mrs. Foot, was rapidly sickening under the influence 
of an incurable disease. I left all to visit her. I 
found on my arrival at my father's, that his 
mother, my grandmother, aged 86 years, had died 
the night before. I attended her funeral with other 
members of the family. I found my dear sister 



Work in Western New York 



45 



very low, yet in full possession of all her faculties. 
It devolved upon me to do what ought to have 
been done some time before, to inform her that her 
end was not far off. A great tear gathered in her 
eye. She wiped it away, and gave herself to 
arranging her things for her departure. She was 
the first among the children of the family to take 
her stand for Christ, and had adorned her profes- 
sion with a consecrated life. I remained with her 
two days. Then took my leave of her until we 
meet where there are no farewells. On my return 
from this mournful visit, we commenced a series of 
meetings in the church at the village which was 
continued every evening for two weeks. We had 
set back-fires on three sides of the village. We 
thought the time had come to kindle one in the 
village. God bowed the heavens and came down, 
and exalted His own cause. He gave me great 
help in preaching the word. He gave the church 
a spirit of prayer, and steadfast faith. Sinners 
were converted and the church was greatly edified 
and strengthened; infidelity was shaken, much 
prejudice was removed. Long let the church of 
Wilson praise God for what He did for them at 
this meeting! On the first Sabbath in April 
twenty-four were received on confession of their 
faith. Thirteen were baptised. I began now to 
instruct the church in doctrine and duty and to 



4 6 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



feed the lambs. The revival spirit abode with us. 
Every communion season added more or less to 
the roll of the church. 

On the twelfth of September, my wife gave birth 
to our first child, a daughter. She bore the name 
of her two aunts. Margaret Elizabeth. She was a 
lovely child. 

In November of this year we took possession of 
the parsonage at the village, which our people 
erected out of the proceeds of the one they owned 
two miles in the country. The Lord had given us 
great favor with this people. They did nobly in 
providing for our comfort among them. The year 
1838 was one of the right hand of the Most High. 
Long let the church of Wilson celebrate it! 

For outside work on our field we took school 
districts lying in different directions from the 
village from those we worked last year. They 
were districts in which there was not a family 
altar, nor a member of our church. We began by 
visiting day times and preaching nights. In our 
visits we passed no families. We talked with 
parents and children. God put the seal of His 
approbation upon our efforts. The eldership came 
to our help. Conviction took hold of leading 
families. They sought and found salvation. They 
began to instruct their children. Quite a number 
of families came into the church from these efforts. 



Work in Western New York 



47 



The Rev. Lemuel Clark came to my help at the 
meeting we held in the village. His sermons 
reached some whom I had failed to benefit. A 
number of these came into the church. The con- 
verts of last year were very much strengthened by 
these services. 

On September ioth, 1839, the Presbytery of 
Niagara met at Wilson for my installation. My letter 
of dismission from the Western Reserve Association 
was received by the Presbytery. Rev. Asa Mahan 
of Oberlin preached the sermon. Rev. Truman 
Baldwin, my father-in-law, gave the pastor his 
charge. The Rev. Wm. C. Wisner, D.D., gave 
the charge to the congregation. This was a great 
day to the people of Wilson. They had been an 
organized church fourteen years. All these years 
they had struggled as best they could. They had 
had a stated supply but for one consecutive year. 
On this day for the first time they had a settled 
pastor. 

Early this autumn I commenced a course of doc- 
trinal sermons, beginning with the genuineness 
and authenticity of scripture; God, — His existence 
and attributes ; the Trinity; Divinity of Christ, and 
of the Holy Spirit. The Fall of Man and its conse- 
quences; the covenant of grace and the mediatoral 
work of Christ. God put His seal upon this 
course of sermons in outpouring His Spirit in the 



48 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



convictions of sinners and their conversion and 
confession of Christ before the world and in the 
establishing of the church in the faith and order of 
this people. 

There was a marvelous interposition of divine 
power in the removal of a young man who resisted 
the Holy Spirit in the last revival of religion. He 
became a scoffer and mocker, holding mock prayer- 
meetings. After one of his mock prayer-meetings 
he was taken suddenly sick. I called to see him. 
He said he wanted no minister to talk to him. He 
turned his face to the wall. I left him. He grew 
rapidly worse and as death was feeling for his heart 
strings, despair settled upon him. He broke forth 
with a piteous cry, "Bring in a light! Bring in a 
light!" But his cries soon ceased. Such a death 
was never witnessed in Wilson. Infidelity stood 
aghast to see their champion mourning at the last 
in the darkness of despair. This death was sanc- 
tified to young men of Wilson. 

At the annual thanksgiving of 1839, I came out 
with the history of Wilson, closing with two sug- 
gestions which would add to their business and 
population. First: The securing of the govern- 
ment appropriation for the removal of the accumu- 
lations of ages from the mouth of Twelve-Mile creek, 
where it empties into the lake, thereby furnishing 
a harbor for vessels doing business on Lake 



Work in Western New York 



49 



Ontario, thus giving to the town a commercial 
importance. Second: An academy that would 
furnish the youth of this entire region with the 
facilities for a thorough business and literary course. 
I am happy to say these suggestions were well re- 
ceived and were adopted and have added to the 
business and influence of Wilson on surrounding 
towns. 

At the fall meeting of Niagara Presbytery, a 
convention of ministers and churches was agreed 
upon and appointed at Lyndonville in the town of 
Yates, Orleans county, on a given day in Nov., 
1840, for the purpos of considering what could 
be done to strengthen the feeble churches in con- 
nection with our Presbytery. 

The convention met according to agreement, I 
was designated to preach the opening sermon which 
duty I performed. We spent two days in consul- 
tation and prayer. The following plan was adopted, 
to- wit: Every church in the Presbytery to be 
visited, one week to be spent with each, visiting 
from house to house during the day, preaching 
every night and day time when circumstances 
demanded it. Churches without pastors or supplies 
were to be the first visited. The Presbytery 
covered the counties of Niagara and Orleans. The 
ministers and churches of each county were respon- 
sible that the plan was carried out. We were to 



50 Fifty Years o?i the Skirmish Line 

begin as soon after the first of December as we 
could. I left my home on the first week in De- 
cember and rode on horseback to Wheatland 
church, some twenty miles, on a cold day. The 
stated supply of Lewiston church I met me there, 
and no others came to that feeble, destitute church. 
We spent a week with them and did what we could 
for them. The bachelor brother from Lewiston 
found a good thing there, a lady that made him an 
excellent wife. Somerset was next visited. My 
father-in-law was their supply, and had been for 
two years. They had just completed a new meet- 
ing house. Their Sabbath school was in a condi- 
tion to be greatly benefited by the visitation, which 
was crowned with rich results. There was at 
Somerset a good list of helpers, some twenty from 
the Sabbath school with quite a number of heads 
of families from that church bringing it up to the 
condition of self-support. The meetings at Somer- 
set assumed so much interest they were protracted 
for two weeks. Wilson was next visited. We had 
a very profitable week with some conversions. The 
church enjoyed the visits. At the close of the 
meeting our baby boy, born on the 19th of Sep- 
tember, Elisha Baldwin, took the lung fever and 
died, aged four months and fourteen days. Sickness 
and death coming upon us, I overworked and 
brought on fever and ague which shut me up two 



Work in Western New York 



51 



weeks. When I so far recovered that I could, I 
took my wife and daughter, two years old, and 
drove out to Youngstown where the next meeting 
was to be. 

On reaching Youngstown I found their pastor, 
Rev. J. Elliott, sick in bed, and no one on the 
ground to preach a sermon or conduct a meeting, 
but the session of the church. Learning that I was 
present they waited upon me and requested me to 
undertake the conducting of the services of the 
Presbyterial visitation. I told them I was totally 
unfit to do so, from the state of my health. Dr. 
Hyde, one of the session said, "Put yourself under 
my treatment and I will see you safely through." 
The circumstances were such as made it seem 
necessary that I should throw myself on the arm 
of the Lord and do the best I could for them. 

Our first service was held in the basement of the 
church. In this meeting there were manifest evi- 
dences of the Holy Spirit's presence and power. 
At night I preached to an attentive and solemn 
audience. The meeting the next afternoon took 
the form of a prayer meeting attended with heart- 
broken confessions. 

The second evening's service was a memorable 
one never to be forgotten. Towards the close of 
the sermon, I noticed a gentleman enter and drop 
into a seat near the door. The Holy Spirit gave 



52 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



me an illustration which I used which God blessed 
to the opening of the eyes of this late comer. He 
saw his lost condition as a sinner in the presence 
of a heart-searching God. He was seen to weep. 
Those who sat near were astonished to see his 
tears. It was the first time he had attended a 
gospel service for fifteen years. He was the 
champion of infidelity, the ringleader of wickedness 
in general. He was the village lawyer, a ready 
talker and a man of influence among young men. 
Seeing this man in tears moved his associates to 
enquire, "What does this mean?" The next morn- 
ing they met to talk up this question. They dele- 
gated two young men to wait upon Lawyer Bab- 
cock and learn from his own lips what those tears 
meant the night before. The delegation soon re- 
turned saying that Esquire Babcock was terribly in 
earnest. The effect on his unrepentant associates 
was like a shock of electricity. At that afternoon 
meeting, Mr. Babcock arose and said, "Last night 
on going home from that meeting, for the first 
time in my life I began to pray, and my re- 
quest is that you would all pray that I may always 
continue to pray." That night when the invitation 
was given, asking any who wished to be remembered 
in the closing prayer to manifest it by rising to 
their feet, Mr. Babcock was the first one that rose. 
It was like wrenching the key stone from an arch. 



Work in Western New York 



53 



Infidelity and wickedness fell in. Seventy-five 
arose for prayers. The place became a Bochim, 
a place of tears. The next day was the Sabbath. 
The great power of God was on the congregation. 
Sinners were pricked in their hearts and cried out, 
"What shall we do?" General conviction of sin 
took hold of all classes, whether they were church 
goers or home stayers. Wives who had waited for 
their husbands made up their minds that they could 
not wait any longer. They made up their minds 
to go to Jesus. Their action brought their hus- 
bands with them sooner or later. 

At the close of the morning service of the second 
Sabbath, I went to the gentleman who kept the 
principal hotel of Youngstown and asked him if he 
had settled the question to go with hk wife, who, 
during the preceding week, had given herself to 
Christ. He said he had and he invited me to go 
home with him for dinner. I went with him. We 
went through the form of dinner; but the dinner- 
party wanted salvation more than they wanted 
anything else. After dinner we repaired to the 
parlor to guide enquiring minds to Jesus Christ, 
the sinner's friend. I led in prayer. The hotel 
keeper followed me. He began in this way: "O 
Lord, thou knowest what has kept me away from 
thy services so long. It is this bar. Now, O Lord, 
I put it away; give me grace to live as a Christian 



54 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



should." His brother was no less explicit in re- 
nouncing the pleasures of the world and in the con- 
secration of himself to the Lord Jesus. There were 
eleven prayers offered in that parlor by the inmates 
and boarders of that hotel for the first time that 
afternoon. We had not concluded that solemn 
meeting, when I was sent for to visit another 
family. I went with the messenger, where I found 
a whole household in the same state of mind as 
those with whom I had dined. There God in the 
work of the Holy Spirit revealed Himself for the 
salvation of the inmates of the family. Oh, what 
a glorious Sabbath that was! On the next Tues- 
day night that hotel with all its contents was con- 
sumed by a mysterious fire breaking out about two 
o'clock. 

The revival became general throughout the vil- 
lage, and spread into the country. The meetings 
were thronged. Dr. Wisner came to my help and 
for some three weeks the meetings were continued. 
It was the first general revival ever enjoyed in 
that frontier town. Its influence permeated every 
class of society, working out a general reformation 
in the habits of the people. Drinking was dried 
up, gambling was stopped, the Sabbath hallowed, 
family religion was established in what before had 
been prayerless homes. Seventy converts joined 
the Presbyterian Church, a majority of whom were 
heads of families. 



Work in Western New York 55 



During my stay in Youngstown, my wife and 
daughter were taken sick, thus I was held there 
that I might be a worker with God in that marvel- 
ous display of His saving grace to that hitherto 
neglected people. I felt that the providence and 
blessing of God made plain my duty to remain at 
Youngstown until I could safely take my family 
home. My stay of three weeks at Youngstown 
led to dissatisfaction with the Wilson congregation 
which resulted in dissolving the pastoral relation, 
and my undertaking the work of a missionary with 
the feeble churches and destitute places in Niagara 
county. The pastoral relation was dissolved in May 
1 841. I removed my family to Middleport, a 
village in the east part of the county where was one 
of our feeble churches. I bought and fitted up a 
comfortable home. I made up my mind that the 
best way to change the moral aspect of Middleport 
was to open an Academic school. With the assist- 
ance of friends I built a school building in a 
vacant lot that I bought with my home, in which 
my father-in-law, Rev. Truman Baldwin, with two 
unmarried daughters, opened an Academic school, 
which, with Sabbath services, soon gave us a 
pleasant introduction into that community. After 
settling my family at Middleport and seeing the 
Academy in working order, in connection with the 
Rev. Wm. C. Wisner, I entered upon a series of 



56 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



meetings with the churches in Niagara county in 
our Presbytery. We held a second meeting at 
Youngstown where in addition to the seventy 
members in March, 1841, ninety were added in the 
winter of 1842. This revival reached out into 
the town of Porter and brought in a large number 
from the country east of Youngstown. We held 
a second meeting at Somerset which was greatly 
blessed to that people. During this meeting I 
was called home on account of the sickness of our 
little daughter. After her recovery, we held an 
interesting meeting in Cambria. The work was 
general and large numbers were added to the church 
We then held a meeting at Lewiston. The work 
was slow there, but we reached a class that was 
never reached before, and families that gave influ- 
ence to the church, which took on growth, and is 
now a moral power that is felt in that part of the 
country. Dr. Wisner was called to the pastorate 
of the First Presbyterian church of Lockport which 
took him out of the evangelistic work and left me 
alone, with some lay helpers. I held an interest- 
ing meeting at Gosport, six miles east of Middle- 
port. There were a large number added to Gos- 
port Congregational church as the fruits of this 
effort. 

In May of 1842, I was invited by the Rev. 
Wm. Beecher, who was pastor at Batavia, N. Y., 



Work in Western New York 



57 



to come to his assistance for a week or more. In 
going to Batavia I passed through Caryville, a 
town on an old Indian reservation six miles north 
of Batavia. At Caryville we had a small Presby- 
terian church which was then supplied by an 
acquaintance of mine, Rev T. Darling. Being 
weary with the morning ride I stopped at the house 
of Brother Darling for a little rest. On knocking 
at his door he opened it with the salutation, 
"God bless you, Brother Sherwood. I believe the 
Lord has sent you here." I told him why I was 
there. "Will you preach for us on your return?" 
he asked. I replied that I would try to arrange 
so to do. On completing my stay at Batavia I 
informed Brother Darling that I would preach for 
him on the next evening. I found their place of 
meeting was a dining-room that would accommo- 
date fifty persons. They had meeting there night 
after night for six weeks for prayer. The room 
was well filled. Before I was through with my 
sermon, I was impressed that some one had a work 
to do there. As I was about closing my sermon, 
Brother Darling came and asked if I could stop 
and give them another sermon. I consented, 
remained, and preached with increasing interest. 
As I was closing, Mr. Darling came again and 
said, "Can you not stay and preach on the Sabbath, 
and let me go and supply your appointment." By 



53 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



this time I felt that God had opened a door forme 
to enter into a good work. I consented to make 
the exchange. Saturday night and Sunday the 
school house could be used. Saturday night we 
had a good audience. Sabbath morning the ladies 
filled tfie school house leaving the gentlemen to do 
the best they could. The attendance at night was 
larger than in the morning. 

What to do for room to accommodate the people 
was the question on Monday morning. I did not 
wait for Brother Darling to return. I called to- 
gether some of the leading men to decide what 
to do. There was a large building, 100x40 feet, 
just finished for Col. Cary, the patron of the town. 
The lower story had been finished as one room. 
Mr. Cary was waited upon by a committee of gen- 
tlemen, who asked for that room for the meetings. 
The request was granted. The next thing was 
seating the room. That was provided for, and a 
meeting was announced at the hall for Monday 
night. The congregation increased every night, 
and they increased the seating, until the hall floor 
was filled with seats, and the seats were filled with 
the people. On Sabbath days this large building 
was surrounded by buggies and carriages full of 
people that could not get seats in the hall. I be- 
gan to inquire, "Why are such multitudes gathering 
here?" 



Work in Western New York 



59 



During the year 1841 that whole region had been 
visited by a disease known as the black tongue, 
which swept off many by death, leaving on the 
community an awful sense of the visitation they 
had passed through. This state of things with six 
weeks of prayer had prepared for this visitation of 
the grace and Spirit of God. We settled on this 
plan: meeting every day at 2 P. M., and at 7:30, 
P. M., during week days, and on Sabbath preaching 
morning and night at the usual hours, with a 
prayer meeting at 4 o'clock, P. M. 

Brother Darling gave up the meeting to me. After 
the sermon at night, I invited forward any one 
who felt his need of pardon for sin. There were 
often twenty-five that came under this invitation, 
sometimes fifty and even more. Converts began 
their testimony for Christ. The work deepened 
and widened, conviction took hold of all classes. 
Farmers would work up to their dinner hour, and 
be at the two o'clock meeting, take their rest at 
the meeting and return home, work between meet- 
ings and be out again at night. Thus we worked 
on from the last week in May, until after the 4th 
of July when it seemed I could not remain any 
longer. I announced my closing sermon. We had 
out a large congregation. I preached to the con- 
verts. As I was about closing, there came up a 
pour-down shower, and no one wanted to leave. 



60 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

I spoke to those who knew their duty and had not 
done it, for about fifteen minutes, and then asked 
those who knew their duty and had not done it, 
but would then begin, to arise. Col. Cary arose 
and with him some fifteen others who had been 
hiding behind Col. Cary. This action of Col. Cary 
and his associates brought me into new straits. I 
paused and asked wisdom from above. This plan 
was suggested: leave the question of the continuance . 
of the meeting to the colonel and his associates, 
and others in the congregation who have not taken 
a stand for Christ; ask of these what they want. 
So I put the matter in this form: "I shall leave 
the question of the continuance of these services 
to those who have this night risen, and all in the 
congregation who have not professed Christ. If 
you desire these meetings continued such will now 
manifest it by arising." One hundred arose. I 
then said: "The future meetings are for those 
who have risen here to night and I shall expect 
your faithful attendance, and that you will use your 
influence to bring others here." I appointed meet- 
ings for next day and night. 

Col. Cary came right out and took his stand for 
Christ, went to work, providing clothing for some 
poorfamilies which the ladies made up, and these 
familiescommenced attending meetings. The colonel 
asked me to go with him and visit a family in which 



Life in Western New York 



61 



the parents were at variance. He brought them to- 
gether and begged them for their children's sake 
to love each other and to live as a family ought 
to. I proposed a season of prayer, and I led and 
the colonel followed. The parties wept on their 
knees, got up and confessed to each other and 
healed all manner of differences. I worked on four 
weeks longer up into the month of August. We 
reached out into the country north and south, 
gathered the people at the school house and in the 
groves and preached to them Jesus and the resur- 
rection. All classes were reached, believed and 
confessed the Saviour. Before I left, Col. Cary 
offered the Presbyterian church a lot for a meeting 
house, and started a subscription with $100. 
$2,000 were raised to build a church. Seven- 
ty persons united with the Presbyterian church. 
Fifty with the Methodist and thirty-five with 
the Free Will Baptist. Over 200 professed 
oonversion at our meetings. Many were converted 
who came from adjoining towns. I saw the fruits 
cf those meetings years afterward in Michigan. 
An elder from an adjoining town told me that for 
years after they had persons offer themselves for 
membership, and, on asking when and where they 
received their first religious impressions, they 
replied: "At the Caryville meeting when they 
met in the hall." An Academy was soon organized 



62 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



in the building where the meetings were held. 
Col. Cary left money as an endowment for the 
school at his death. The church was built the 
next season and I was asked to go over and dedi- 
cate it which I did. 

On returning to Middleport, I commenced a 
meeting there in the Methodist church. God 
poured out a spirit of prayer on the few faithful 
Christians of that place. It was a wrestling spirit 
that God gave us which unsealed the waters of life 
to that people. God gave me the indwelling 
power in preaching His gospel. It was the first 
effort any evangelistic denomination of Christians 
had made for years. The Holy Spirit gave us an 
earnest of what He was waiting to do when His 
children would believe, receive, and confess Him 
before that people. There were twenty hopeful 
conversions as the fruits of these meetings. It was 
the morning star of hope for Middleport. The 
converts divided between the Methodist and Pres- 
byterian churches. This meeting added to the 
graces as well as the numbers of the churches. 

On one of the Sabbath mornings of January, 
1843, as I attempted to reach our place of worship 
with my horse and cutter, I was met by a cyclone 
that turned me back. As I returned to my house 
and stepped out of my cutter, I was struck by the 
end of a flying board which broke the outer bone 



Work in Western New York 



63 



on my left leg, half way between the ankle and the 
knee, which confined me some weeks to my room. 
When I was able to be out, I found there was quite 
an interest in our congregation, as I began to 
move among the people. It is to the Rev. Jedediah 
Burchard, that I owe most under God for my suc- 
cess in revival efforts. I was with him more or less 
for three years when a student. I learned from 
him how to conduct such efforts and the secret -of 
success in them. It is this: waiting on God until 
you are endued with the power of the Holy Ghost. 

During the month of April, he came to my 
assistance here and gave us two weeks' services. 
Twenty were added to the church of Middleport 
as the fruits of this meeting. Most of these con- 
verts were young men and women connected with 
our Academy and of an interesting class who are 
useful in the church of Christ. Early in March I 
commenced preaching once every Sabbath at 
Gosport, six miles west of Middleport; returning 
and preaching at Middleport in the evening of the 
same day. 

This on the whole was a sad year to us. God 
was schooling us in affliction. My limb had not 
fully recovered, when dear Margaret Elizabeth 
was taken with the whooping cough. Not having 
fully recovered from the long illness of inflamma- 
tion of the lungs in the winter of 1842, we were 



6 4 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



fearful of the influence of this cough on her. She 
soon began to droop under its strain upon her con- 
stitution. She was subject to spasms when cough- 
ing. Consequently she was carefully watched In 
the dead of the night she was taken with a spasm. 
I sprung out of bed, took her in my arms and 
ere I was aware she fell back dead, before we 
realized she was in such danger. This took place 
on the 14th of March. Margaret was four years, 
four months and two days old. We buried her 
in the cemetery where sleep my father and mother. 
We removed the body of her brother, Elisha Bald- 
win. Sister and brother sleep side by side in hope 
of the resurrection. 

The remainder of this year was given to Gosport 
and Middleport, with a growing interest in both 
congregations. 

The year of 1844, was also given to these fields 
and intervening school districts. On the 29th of 
March, 1844, my wife gave birth to a second son 
whom we named after the two grandfathers, John 
Baldwin. He had a delicate constitution, was 
of lovely disposition, a very promising boy. The 
year 1845 was entirely given to Middleport. We 
raised money sufficient to build a Presbyterian 
church on the lot owned by the society which was 
dedicated in December of this year. I was assisted 
in dedication by the Rev. A. T. Hopkins, D.D. of 



Work in Western New York 



65 



Buffalo and Rev. Wm. C. Wisner of Lockport. 
Dr. Hopkins preached the sermon and Dr. Wisner 
made the dedicatory prayer. We now had a good 
church house and a respectable congregation. We 
thought we had a degree of prosperity when there 
was reason to hope for a permanent growth of the 
church and congregation. 

On the 2 1 st of December of this year, God 
blessed us with a third son, a healthy boy. We 
named him Charles Linsley after a favorite uncle 
of his mother. 

When we came to the period for making arrange- 
ment for the year 1846 my expectations for support 
at Middleport were not realized. I had devoted my 
entire time to them for the year 1845 on a salary 
that did not meet the expenses of my family. I 
had raised every dollar we had for the new church. 
I took them in 1841 when to other ministers there 
seemed no hope of doing anything to save that 
church. I made a great sacrifice to give them an 
academic school which gave us the youth out 
of which we gathered a congregation, and 
revived and built up a church of some fifty 
members, and had, sacrificed my time for 1845 to 
secure them a church. I had a right to expect 
they would now make some sacrifice to sustain me 
with a salary that would support my growing 
family. They seemed to feel that because I had 



66 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



sacrificed for them I would still do it. I had 
reached a point beyond which I must not go any 
farther. It was a sacrifice of the property I had 
fitted up there. I remained with them until June 
of 1846, when I was invited to Liverpool, a subur- 
ban town of Syracuse, N. Y. I gave nine years to 
Niagara county. Three years and a half were 
given to Wilson during this time, during which I 
received one hundred and three to that church, one 
half of whom were heads of families. Thirty-five 
years elapsed before I could visit them. When 
I did, and preached to them on the Sabbath, I 
was stopping with the only elder left of those choice 
men I found in 1837. He said to me: "Brother 
Sherwood, you see that the meeting house you left 
has undergone some changes and you are respon- 
sible for these changes that have taken place, and 
for the expenses we have been to to effect them, by 
the course you adopted in going out into the school 
districts and holding those meetings you did, with 
the conversions that followed. The people from 
those districts coming in, filled the house you left. 
We first knocked off one end and put on fifteen 
feet. The growth of the congregation was such 
that they filled up this added space in a few 
years. Then we knocked off the side of the house 
and put on ten feet and that filled up and crowded 
the choir so much that they demanded more room, 



Work in Western New York 



67 



and we knocked off the other end, put in an 
orchestra and pulpit." I lay down this principle: 
that the gospel is of such superlative importance to 
all persons, that to those who do not come 
where the gospel is preached, it should be carried 
through school house efforts in the country, or 
cottage meetings in the cities; lest the blood of the 
lost be found on our garments, in the great day of 
solemn review. The fruits of the five and a half 
years given to Niagara county in evangelistic work 
in 1841, — '42, according to the Presbyterial report 
for these years, were 766 hopeful conversions, 559 
added on confession, and 60 by letter, bringing a 
number of churches to self support. It was during 
these years that glorious revival at Caryville took 
place in which there were at least two hundred 
hopeful conversions. The nine years in Niagara 
county were precious years. The work was per- 
manent. After I came to Missouri, I was invited 
by their stated clerk to return to them and go 
over the field again. Circumstances forbade. 



CHAPTER IV. 



CENTRAL NEW YORK. 

On a more careful survey of Liverpool I found 
it a village of about twelve hundred, a mixed mul- 
titude, of salt manufacturers, canal boatmen, 
mechanics, and day laborers, surrounded on three 
sides by an intelligent farming population. 

On entering upon work in my new field, the 
first thing was the remodeling of the Sunday School. 
This necessitated my taking the superintendency 
of the school. I preached twice on the Sabbath 
at the church and gave a third service in the 
country. 

On the 13th of August of this year brother 
Charles, aged thirty-two, died, surrounded by 
everything that made life desirable. 

We went forward very pleasantly in our new field 
with an increasing congregation with nothing of 
special interest until the close of the boating 
season. It had been the custom of the boatmen 
at the close of navigation to have a general jollifi- 
cation, drink at every saloon, and keep the town 

awake by their wild orgies and general parade. 

68 



Central New York 



6 9 



They woke up one man, who the next morning on 
meeting some of the business men of the town, 
asked them if that was the way that Liverpool 
celebrated the return of the boatmen. The answer 
was, "The boys must have a good time once a 
year. Last evening the saloons had their pull at 
the boatmen, of what is left the gamblers will be 
sure to get their share; and there will not be much 
left for wives and children." I then put this ques- 
tion to quite a circle of business men that had 
gathered around: "Do the business men of this 
town look on and see these saloons and gamblers 
rob the laboring men without any remonstrance? 
For one I do not propose to let such a state of 
things pass without making an honest effort to stop 
it." "We have tried to correct it," they said, "but 
it is of no use. You can not stop it." "I propose 
to try my hand," I replied. I returned to my 
study taking with me a young man who was at 
home from New York city on a short visit. We 
consulted together and I drew the following paper: 

'Attention, Boatmen! 

"Captain and all hands are invited to meet at 
the Presbyterian church on next Sabbath evening 
at 7 o'clock, at which time a plan will be submitted 
how every boatman may be made rich. Seats free. 
Good music. Come one, come all." 



7o 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



I went into my study to develop the plan, and 
had it ready in time. 

My study was near the sidewalk leading to the 
church. The tramp began as soon as the first bell 
rung. When I entered the church at the time 
appointed, I thought all the boatmen of Syracuse 
as well as all Liverpool were there. The choir 
had made special preparation for the occasion. I 
took for my text the words of Moses to his father- 
in-law, Hobab, "Come thou with us; and we will 
do thee good, for God hath spoken good concerning 
Israel." After giving a history of the text, I 
remarked to those present, "You have had such 
invitations extended to you before, by Sabbath 
breakers, by the saloon keepers, the harlot, the 
gambler, the pleasure seeker. Did any of these 
parties keep their promises to you? What good 
did any of you experience from any of those ? They 
were like the promises of the devil to our Lord. 
Here is the promise of God who cannot lie, that 
He will do you good. He did me good. He will 
do you good. If you come with us, we will do 
you good. Our ways are pleasant. God hath 
spoken good concerning us. There is peace in the 
ways of religion. The man who fears God shall 
not want any good thing. He has God for his 
guide, his keeper; no good thing will He withhold 
from those who walk uprightly. To become rich 



Central New York 71 



you must start right and do right and persevere in 
the ways of well doing. The plan by which every 
boatman may become rich will require a course of 
lectures for its development. You who would like 
such a course of lectures are requested to manifest 
it by rising to your feet." Three fourths of that 
large company arose ere I had the sentence out. 
I announced for the next lecture, "How boatmen 
should spend their time out of the season of navi- 
gation." Text: "Diligent in business, fervent in 
spirit, serving the Lord." After lecture we opened 
an evening school with thirty that could neither 
read or write. Before navigation opened they all 
could read, write and reckon up an account in 
figures. 

The second lecture was, "Savings' Bank for Spare 
Money rather than the Saloon Drawer." Text: 
Haggai 1:5, 6, Boatmen earn money and put into 
bags that have holes in them, burn it up in cigars, 
drop in the saloon drawer, etc. Afterwards, we 
started a savings' bank. 

The third lecture was on the evils of intoxicat- 
ing drinks. 

The fourth lecture was on the curses that come 
to the .man who puts the bottle to his neighbor's 
lips. The fruit of these lectures was an organiza- 
tion of a lodge of the Sons of Temperance. 

Scores of both sexes came into this lodge, among 



72 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



them were the worst of drunkards. Some of the 
scenes that I witnessed growing out of the refor- 
mation of drunken husbands will be the last to fade 
from my memory. 

The next three lectures were on gambling. The 
first answered the question, What is gambling? 
The second dealt with the evils of gambling. The 
third pointed out the fruits of gambling. After 
hearing my first lecture on gambling, they said: 
"He is an old hand, we can learn something, we 
will go again." There was quite an influx of 
strangers as well as a full representation of Liver- 
pool people. I cut right and left on the evils of 
gambling. "How does he know so much about 
us? He must have been there," they said. The 
fruits of gambling drew a full house and the last 
twenty minutes of the lecture the audience was as 
solemn as any I ever spoke to. These lectures 
drove gamblers out of Liverpool. They could not 
rent a place and went over into an old canal boat. 
About the close of the lectures on gambling, I 
chanced to open a Syracuse daily paper. There I 
saw a full column on the work being done in Liver- 
pool by a course of lectures unique in character and 
productive of results in reforming a large number 
of men in that hitherto immoral village. In the 
years that I remained in Liverpool the fruits of 
those lectures were more and more manifest in the 



Central New York 



73 



uplifting in moral character and in the education 
diffused by the night schools. The mistake, if any, 
was in not going right forward with revival efforts, 
preaching to them plainly the gospel, urging them 
to lay hold upon salvation and not stop at the half 
way house of morality as some of them did. The 
success of the lectures in the reformation of morals 
of the men and the notices it called forth in the 
daily and weekly papers brought to me calls from 
the brethren of Onondaga Presbyterian to come to 
their help in gospel meetings. In the fall of 1847 
I was invited by the Rev. R. C. Cleveland, the 
father of the President of the United States, who 
was then a lad in roundabouts, to assist them in a 
service of meetings at Fayetteville, N. Y., where he 
was pastor of the Presbyterian church. I was his 
guest for two weeks. I found Rev. Cleveland one 
of the most perfect gentlemen I have ever met. 
His noble wife was a true Maryland lady who 
presided with dignity and grace over her large 
family. The two weeks of special meeting, were 
crowned with the rich blessing of the Great Head 
of the church in the impartation of spiritual power 
to the church members and the marked conversions 
of youth and heads of families in his congregation 
who in due time became members of his church. 
In addition to my pastoral duties at Liverpool, I 
did what I could for a number of vacant pulpits, 



74 



Fifty Years o?i the Skirmish Line 



Jamesville, Onondaga Valley, Oneida Lake, 
Ridgeville and Amboy. I also gave more or less time 
to preaching in destitute regions north and east of 
Liverpool. While the growth of the Sabbath school 
and church was steady, there was no marked re- 
vival of religion. Yet there were additions to the 
church during the years I was in Liverpool. Im- 
portant results were brought about during our 
labors there, that our successors entered into and 
were greatly profited by them. During my last 
year there, 1850, I made a special effort to lift the 
congregation above their dependence upon the Home 
Missionary Society to one of self support. The 
plan that I adopted was to go to the tax roll of the 
county and get the amount of property on which 
they paid taxes, in order that I might ascertain 
what per cent each property holder was paying for 
the support of the gospel among them. The ex- 
hibit shamed them out of their miserly spirit. 
They found no difficulty in lifting the support of 
the Gospel above dependence on Home Missionary 
help. 

The years that we spent in Liverpool had their 
dark days as well as those that were full of sun- 
shine. Our living children were young and subject 
to the diseases of childhood. Our dear son John 
Baldwin went down to his early grave from the 
after results of the measles during our residence 



Central New York 



75 



there. This dear boy was a marked case of the 
early development of the fruits of the Holy Spirit 
in the heart of a child, not quite five years old. 
As I was sitting by him one day in his child's bed, 
he looked up to me and said: "Papa, do you think 
that the Lord Jesus will suffer naughty children to 
come unto Him?" This question was the prompt- 
ing of his own feelings. Nothing had been recently 
said that would have led to such a question. I 
answered this question by relating to him how the 
Lord Jesus became a child that He might know the 
mind and the feelings of a child and after He grew 
to be a man, He told his disciples to suffer little 
children to come unto Him, for of such is the 
kingdom of heaven. He drank in this instruction 
with such attention as showed he comprehended 
it, and rested upon it. From that time to the 
end of his young life, some two months, there was 
nothing that would interest him as did the story 
of Christ's love for little children. He recovered 
from the attack of sciatica from which he was then 
suffering; and was quite well before taken with the 
measels. He was very fond of a picture book I 
gave him for a Christmas present. In it were a 
good many Bible scenes. There was no picture 
that took his attention, like the one where our 
Lord was extended upon the cross. His mother 
was holding him in her arms on the day he died. 



7 6 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



She was telling him of a little girl who was sick 
near our house. He said, "Ma, I do not want to 
hear about her." "What do you want to hear 
about?" "I want you should tell me about the 
Lord Jesus." 

As an illustration of his attention to religious 
duties, one evening we left the children with our 
housekeeper. She prepared their supper and 
they gathered around the table. His other sister 
and younger brother commenced eating; but John 
Baldwin did not eat. He was asked why he did not 
eat his supper with the other children. His answer 
was that God's blessing had not been asked. His 
mother asked the blessing when I was away so that 
he had never ate until a blessing had been asked 
at the table. 

Our dear son died on February 14th, 1849, aged 
four years, ten months, and twenty-six days. I 
altered a poem that was composed by a friend on 
the death of our daughter Margaret Elizabeth. 

TO MY SON JOHN BALDWIN. 

'In bliss' young hour he faded like 

All cherished things below. 
As buds may wither on the stem 

Ere yet the roses blow, 
Ah! many loved thee, many gazed 

Upon thy cherub brow; 
Earthly hopes centered in thee, 

But alas! they are blasted now. 



Central New York 



77 



Brief was thy stay on earth, dear boy; 

Here thou mightst not long remain, 
Thine was an exotic growth, 

Thy mission done, and heaven gained, 
Thou didst pass death's dark vale, 

Cherub angels led the way, 
And conveyed thy young spirit safe 

To the realms of endless day. 
There thou mayst of God more fully learn, 

There thou hast the long wished for spring attained 
There with brother and sister gone before, 

Share all the bliss, death to thee hath gained." 

He was buried in the cemetery at Liverpool. 
The children and youth of that place erected a 
neat little monument to his memory. Sweet 
sleeper, rest in the arms of Jesus, until He shall 
awake thee! 

On the ist of September, 1850, a daughter was 
given us to fill the great vacancy made in our 
family circle. This was our sixth child, which we 
named after the two grandmothers, Sarah Lucy. 

When I closed my labors at Liverpool, I had no 
place in view. I made the field for future work a 
subject for special prayer. Having spent some 
time in prayer, I went down to the postoffice for 
my daily mail. 

I was handed a letter in an unknown hand and 
from an unknown place. I opened it. To my 
surprise it was a letter from Pitcher, Chenango 
county, N. Y., inviting me to visit them as a sup- 



78 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



ply for the church at that place. Not knowing the 
writer nor the place, I started out to find some one 
who knew where it was. After quite a search, I 
found a man who was acquainted there, who gave 
me a good report of the place and people and 
advised me by all means to go and visit them. I 
received that letter as answer to my prayer where 
to go. I made my arrangements and visited them 
that week; and spent the following Sabbath with 
them. I was kindly received. They gave me a 
fine congregation on the Sabbath. After having 
two sermons they called a congregational meeting 
and unanimously voted me a call to become their 
pastor. I preached at night, left the next morning 
for Liverpool, and returned in two weeks for a 
more thorough acquaintance with the people. I 
found an open door, a people hungry for the word, 
and willing to do their duty. I could not say nay 
to them. They offered to send their teams for my 
goods and a carriage for my family. Furthermore 
they offered to put on an addition to the parsonage 
as soon as it could be done. I accepted their call 
and took a carriage to bring back my family. 
They sent on three teams to remove my goods 
forty miles by wagon. Before I could get back a 
revival of God's work had commenced. I put in 
the sickle to this field white for the harvest and 
glorious sheaves were gathered. Thirty-five came 



Central New York 



79 



into the church at oar January communion. Seven 
entered the ministry as the fruit of the wonderful 
outpouring of the Holy Spirit in connection with 
that revival of God's work, which spread up and 
down the beautiful valley of the Otselic River. 

God led me there in the right time. I never 
doubted from the day I found that letter in the 
postoffice after a season of prayer that it was 
God's ordering to take me away from all my old 
associates and associations and place me in that 
field which had been left so long without spiritual 
culture, yet well sowed with the seed of the king- 
dom. The reapers had not been there for many 
years. God sent me to reap and train up from that 
large circle of youth those who would go forth into 
His vineyard and do a great work for Him in other 
fields. 

My work for 185 1 was training those converts 
we had received from the revival for Christian work. 
We had an efficient Sabbath school with experienced 
teachers. We began to teach their teachers the 
importance of Christian work in the Sabbath 
school. We organized a young people's mission- 
ary society and associated with it a literary society. 
These societies met monthly. At their meetings 
a paper called the "Evening Star" rose monthly on 
the horizon of Pitcher, and shed its cheering light 
on that inland town. Out of its contributors came 



8o 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



quite a number of literary characters, in the person 
of ministers of the gospel, eminent physicians and 
school teachers. It was marvelous what improve- 
ment these youth made in Christian character and 
literary persuits. 

Most of the converts of the revival of 1850 stood 
firm, grew in grace and in the knowledge of God's 
word. On a more careful survey of this field for 
Christian effort, I found that it was limited. Three 
miles up the river was a sister church. Four 
miles below was another. Between our churches, 
above and below, there were sandwiched in Meth- 
odist churches. The only way to gather in new 
families was to go over the hills and persuade 
them to come to the beautiful valley of the Otselic. 
The year 1852 saw but the repetition of the labors 
of the previous one. When we went over the hills 
and held meetings in the school houses, it was 
difficult to induce the people to come steadily to 
the village for worship. I was invited to assist 
neighboring ministers and saw blessed fruit. 
By repeated visits to one town, I effected 
the organization of a new church. Our work 
seemed to settle down about to this, care for the 
flock, feed the sheep, feed the lambs. It gave me 
a fine range for study. These years were furnishing 
me for the after years of my ministry when there 
was neither time nor opportunity for study. 



Central New York 



81 



From year to year the ripe fruits of the church 
were plucked by the cold hand of death and gath- 
ered to the home above. There were some pain- 
ful instances where death came to those who had 
grieved the Holy Spirit or had procrastinated the 
needful preparation until it was too late. It was 
terrible to hear them mourn at the last and exclaim: 
"Oh, if I had accepted salvation when the Holy 
Spirit strove with me under such a sermon; but 
now I am dying without hope; and the blackness 
of despair is overshadowing my death bed!" 

Though there may be in country fields a same- 
ness from year to year, still there will be startling 
scenes, which will throw a pall over the entire 
community. One such occurred in Pitcher in 1853. 
A young man was left with five other children by 
the sudden death of a drunken father, the mother 
dying from a broken heart. The children had 
been cared for by as many families. The eldest 
son, about eighteen years of age, in a drinking 
spree at the hotel in town, fell from the piazza, 
fractured his skull and died in a short time. 

The enemies of temperance took charge of his 
funeral, selecting a minister they could control to 
preach the funeral sermon. He had preached an 
inappropriate sermon and as he closed he turned to 
me as I sat in the pulpit with him, saying: "Mr. 
Sherwood, use your liberty." I did so, knowing 



82 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



that in doing so I should bring upon myself all the 
opposition that anti-temperance power could com- 
bine against me. I wanted God on my side, then 
I did not care who was against me. I alluded to 
the painful circumstances under which we were 
assembled. I then asked who was responsible for 
this appalling scene. Not the man that sold 
him the whiskey. Not the men who licensed 
him to sell whiskey. "I charge the guilt upon the 
legal voters of this township who voted to authorize 
the Excise Board to grant a license. The blood of 
this young man cries to God against every voter 
who authorized that license. Blood has a voice 
that will enter into the ears of the God of Justice." 
The town election was just at hand. "Will you at 
the coming election endorse this horrible deed by 
authorizing this board or another which may be 
chosen to license another man to repeat the bloody 
scene?" Then I asked Almighty God to wake up 
the consciences of that congregation to do as 
they would wish they had when they should meet 
the young man whose body was in the coffin before 
us at the judgment seat of Christ Jesus, and that 
this event might be sanctified to all present. That 
prayer was answered. On the day of election, a 
temperance board was chosen and no more licenses 
were granted while I remained in Pitcher. I never 
saw such an excitement as there was in that meet- 



Central New York 



83 



ing house when the congregation was dismissed. 
The enemies of temperance were caught in a trap 
they caused to be set. Their consciences became 
their own accusers. They realized that truth was 
mighty and had prevailed. One bold stroke at the 
right time will do tremendous execution. The great 
secret of success is to dare to do right at the right 
time. It required the same moral courage to stand 
where I stood that day that it would to face a 
charge on the field of battle. God alone can give 
it. It is that power that our Lord promised should 
be given those that will witness for Him. 

Towards the close of this year I received an 
invitation to visit my brother, Dr. Willis M. Sher- 
wood of Wilmington, North Carolina, which I 
accepted. I went by way of New York city, Phil- 
adelphia, Chesapeake Bay to Norfolk and then by 
R. R. to Wilmington. After spending a week there, 
1 took a trip into the interior of the state, where I 
saw slavery in its mildest form as it existed in a 
farming community. I preached most of a week 
preparatory for a communion season, spending the 
Sabbath there. Returning to the city, my brother 
said, "If you want to attend a slave sale, you will 
find one at the market to-day." I went and saw 
an old wagon and horse cried off. Then a colored 
woman was put up on the same block and she was 
cried off in the same way. 



84 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



Finishing my visit, I returned by way of the city 
of Richmond, the tomb of Washington, and the 
city of Washington, stopping at each place long 
enough to take in what was of special interest. I 
then left directly for home, and found all well. I 
resumed my pastoral work for the remainder of 1853 
and 1854, with the church and congregation keeping 
up to their usual standard of numbers and interest. 

At the spring meeting of Cortland Presbytery for 
1855, I was chosen commissioner to the General 
Assembly to meet in St. Louis, Mo., at the First 
Presbyterian church on the third Thursday of 
May. 

On my way to St. Louis, I spent a Sabbath in 
Michigan with an old friend, the Rev. Thomas 
Jones. He gave me a very pressing invitation to 
settle in Michigan. I said to him: "Get me a 
field and I will come." I left my friend Jones on 
Monday for St. Louis. That day I made the ac- 
quaintance of the Rev L. I. Root, who was on his 
way to General Assembly. As we journeyed we 
fell in company with divers commissioners. The 
question of moderator was mooted. I mentioned 
the name of the Rev. William C. Wisner, D.D., 
of Lockport and of Niagara Presbytery. The sug- 
gestion took and at the proper time and place Dr. 
Wisner was elected moderator. This was my first 
attendance on the General Assembly. I was given 



Central New York 



an honorable place on an important committee. 
This was my first visit to the great West. I fell 
in love with the West and thirty-seven years of my 
life's work have been given to that section. After 
the close of the assembly, I returned to my charge 
and settled into work. I had not been at home 
two months when I received a letter from my 
friend Jones saying he had found for me one of the 
best country fields in the State of Michigan. 
This letter opened the question of making a 
change. 

I was led to these considerations: I had worked 
up all the accessible material in Pitcher; all that I 
could do there was to care for the sheep and lambs. 
There were ministers that could do this work as 
well as I could, and would be satisfied to do it. 
I decided to leave it, and go where I could find 
plenty of accessible material. In September of 
1855 I visited the field my friend had found for 
me. It was Edwardsburgh in Cass county, Michi- 
gan, within three miles of the south line of the 
state, on the border of a beautiful prairie near a 
small lake, surrounded by a rich farming country; 
as pleasantly situated as a country charge need be. 

They had outgrown their first house of worship, 
and were building a new church house. I preached 
to them twice on the Sabbath, and made such calls 
as I could. They called a congregational meeting 



86 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



and voted me a call. I took their call. Circum- 
stances in my family demanding my immediate 
return to my home, I left the next morning for 
my family, reached home, and found my daughter 
with a broken limb, but doing well. 

Soon after my return, I was invited to Whitney's 
Point, eighteen miles south of Pitcher on the same 
river. My wife was anxious to have me visit 
Whitney's Point. I did so. My visit was accepta- 
ble to them and I was asked to accept a call from 
them. I returned home and canvassed the two 
openings before me. Mrs. Sherwood's parents 
were living at their home in Onondaga county. 
She wished to remain as near them as she could. 
I visited Whitney's Point again and concluded to 
accept their call if they would perform certain 
things. They were to call a meeting on Monday 
night and write me by Tuesday morning's mail, 
the result. On Tuesday no letter came. There 
was a daily mail between the towns. No mail 
Wednesday nor Thursday. Friday I prepared a 
letter to Edwardsburgh, Mich., saying I accepted 
their call, provided I had no letter. I found no 
letter, and mailed my letter to Edwardsburgh and 
went home and commenced packing my goods for 
removal there. That afternoon the looked-for 
letter came from the north. I held the mail long 
enough to say to the people of Whiteney's Point, 



Central New York 



87 



"Your letter came this afternoon from the north; 
too late; I go to Michigan.' The next morning a 
delegation from Whitney's Point came up and asked 
me to recall the letter sent. I said: "I cannot; 
the hand of God is in this. I dare not recall it." 
My wife realized there must have been an unseen 
hand in keeping back that letter until the mail had 
borne away my acceptance of the Edwardsburgh 
call. Thirty-six years' work in Michigan and Mis- 
souri illustrates what God had for me to do on the 
skirmish line in the growing West. The next Sab- 
bath I preached my farewell sermon to the best 
people I had ever labored with. I had been with 
them five years in the prime of life. Many of them 
I had received into the church; others I had mar- 
ried and had baptized their children. They made 
me every offer I could have asked for, yet I felt I 
had finished my work there and I must leave them. 



CHAPTER V. 



WORK IN MICHIGAN. 

We left Pitcher the next day for Edwardsburgh, 
Michigan, reaching there the first week in Decem- 
ber, just in time to get snugly settled in their par- 
sonage before winter set in very cold. 

The winter proved a long and cold one. We 
worshiped in the old meeting house until about 
the first of February, 1856, when the new house 
was ready for dedication. I was assisted in the 
dedication by the Rev. Alfred Bryant, a former 
pastor. I preached the sermon from Ps. 46:4. 
Rev. Bryant made the dedicatory prayer. Two 
weeks after, the question of special meetings came 
up. It was decided to begin a series of meetings 
on the last days of February, which was continued 
up to the last week in March greatly benefiting the 
church and giving them over twenty new members. 
These results gave me a pleasant introduction to 
the ministry and churches of that region. More 
than that, it was God's seal that I did my duty in 
coming to Edwardsburgh. 

As the spring opened, the work to be done 

88 



Work in Michigan 



8 9 



opened also. They had been without a pastor so 
long, a large amount of pastoral work had accumu- 
lated. I now found plenty of accessible material 
to be worked up. Edwardsburgh at that time was 
the moral and religious centre of a large scope of 
country settled and occupied by first-class farmers. 
There was sharp competition in the various de- 
nominations. They were well manned and well 
equipped. I soon learned that Western people 
were up and stirring, and they expected their min- 
ister to be likewise. As I became acquainted with 
the people, I liked their make up. 1 found one 
family from Orleans county, N. Y., Mr. Lewis 
Gates. His children were of an interesting age. 
Three of them made a profession of religion in the 
revival of religion. I now had all the range I 
wanted. I even found there was danger of a 
minister spreading himself until he made himself 
so thin that his efforts made no permanent impres- 
sion anywhere. I gave myself to rewriting my 
doctrinal sermons and instructing the converts, and 
indoctrinating my hearers. The church experienced 
a great loss in the death of Mr. William H. Bacon, 
a man who always met every demand of the church 
and suffering humanity. This fall we lost Miss 
Margaret Foster in the wreck of a steamboat on 
Lake Superior. 

Towards the close of 1856, I was invited to the 



go Fifty Years an the Skirmish Line 



city of Elkhart, Indiana, nine miles from Edwards- 
burgh, to conduct a series of gospel meetings. 
Elkhart was a business town on the Michigan 
Southern R. R. and on the St. Joseph River in the 
northern part of Indiana. It was at that time the 
hot-bed of error. When they went to church, it 
was to hear some new things. I made up my mind 
to try the power of Christ crucified. I began 
preaching that man was lost, dwelt upon his ruined 
condition until conviction took hold of my hearers. 
I then presented a crucified Savior as their only 
hope. Some prominent families believed, received 
and confessed Him. This produced a great flutter 
in Elkhart. They sent and brought some of their 
spiritualistic teachers; but the people came-to hear 
of Christ crucified. They sent to Boston, Mass., and 
imported celebrated musicians hoping they would 
draw the crowd away from our meetings. God 
was giving the hearing ear, the understanding heart 
and the obedient will. That series of meetings 
was a new era to Elkhart. From that time Christ 
crucified has had a high place in the confidence of 
those who hold the truth in the love of it. There 
is nothing that is the power of God unto salvation 
but the gospel. I have made proof of it on the 
most brazen faced infidelity, the most subtle forms 
of error, the most polite worldlings; as well as the 
grossest forms of wickedness. To the praise of 



Work in Michigan 



9i 



God I here record that the gospel is the embodied, 
concentrated power of the Godhead, the mightiest 
weapon ever wielded for the subduing of the oppo- 
sition of the carnal mind and bringing men into 
allegiance to God. My wife and our youngest 
daughter made a visit to her parents in Cicero, 
N. Y. After six weeks I sent for her. This visit 
made my wife a Western woman ever after. Our 
congregations kept up to about the same standard. 
If one dropped out, some one came in and filled 
the vacancy. 

In the autumn of 1857, I was invited to Misha- 
waka to assist in a series of meetings. It was a 
season of special interest to the members of the 
church. Quite a number were led to Christ and 
confessed Him and were received to the church. I 
enjoyed my work there, and it led to a permanent 
friendship with the pastor, the oldest minister in 
Northern Indiana. 

While I was at Mishawaka the Methodist and 
Baptist began a union meeting at Edwardsburgh. 
On returning to my field I found work to do in our 
church. The church thought best to go in for 
union meeting. Our own children were awakened 
"and wrought upon by the Holy Spirit. My son after- 
wards told me that it was in those union meetings 
he was taught his lost and ruined condition. Also 
my eldest daughter had those revelations of sin 



9 2 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



and salvation which led her into the light of the 
gospel. There were youth and some adults bene- 
fited by this series of union meetings. Yet there 
were young men who did not yield to the claims of 
the gospel. I began to realize I was not holding 
the young men in my congregation as I did in the 
churches I served in New York. I began to search 
for the reason. It appeared upon my finding in 
our church young people who gave no evidence 
of a new birth. One young lady came to me and 
confessed that she did not have a saving knowledge 
of Christ. She sought and truly found a Savior 
and walked in the peace and love of the. gospel. 
When in that fearful storm on Lake Superior she 
said to her brother: "Andrew, save yourself if you 
can. If I go down into the deep it is well with 
me." They were both thrown into the lake, the 
sister sank, the brother was washed into a cove 
and rescued. I was exceedingly tried with the 
inpenitent young men in our church. I felt they 
were a reproach to religion, and counteracting the 
work I tried to do for the souls of others. Yet I 
saw no way to correct the evil, or to remove it. 
I came to the conclusion I would endure the best 
I could this state of things until my fourth year 
expired. I would then ask Presbytery to dissolve 
my relation to the church and seek another field. 
Things moved along pleasantly during the fall and 



Work in Michigan 



93 



winter of 1858 and '59. During the spring I 
visited Buchanan, some fifteen miles from Edwards- 
burgh. I found there a growing village on the 
Michigan R. R. running from Chicago to Detroit, 
with a scattered Presbyterian church that had been 
left for years; with a small meeting house occupied 
by the Methodists, until they seemed to think that 
possession was nine points in law. I came to the 
conclusion that there was not only a church to be 
saved there, but there was an important point to 
be occupied, for it was the only church in the west- 
ern half of Berrien county with a population of 
thousands. When Presbytery met in the fall I 
asked them to dissolve the pastoral relation, the 
church uniting with me in this request. The rela- 
tion was dissolved. Pecuniarily it was an unwise 
move, and the most unhappy one I ever made. I 
removed to Buchanan in the fall of 1859. The 
Great Head of the church had a work for me to 
do there, to wit, to reestablish that church and 
save the property. 

We got possession of the church, and commenced 
services therein. Soon a Sabbath School was 
gathered. With the scattered families of the 
church and other families raised in Presbyterian 
faith we had a respectable congregation. Back- 
sliders were reclaimed and sinners were converted. 
The work of the church was very promising during 



94 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



the winter of 1859 and '60. My Bible class grew 
until I was compelled to give the afternoon of the 
Sabbath to Bible study, at the request of a large 
circle of friends on the following conditions: 

1 st. They should in all discussions treat each 
other as gentlemen and ladies. 2nd. We would 
confine ourselves strictly to the subject matter of 
the lesson. 3rd. I reserved the right of closing 
the discussion of any and all subjects growing out 
of the lesson. 

We began with the Acts of the Apostles. I have 
reason to know this Bible class did great good in 
sapping and mining the errors that were existing 
in the minds of the class. A leading physician 
made this statement before the class: "When I 
began with you, one year ago, I did not believe 
the divinity of our Savior. I do now. I come 
now to the Bible to be taught. I accept its teach- 
ings and submit to its authority." A new influence 
was now inaugurated in Berrien county, and the 
result was a growing influence in the village and 
county for evangelical religion. It was an exciting 
period in our national history. We passed through 
the summer without any unpleasantness until the 
firing upon Fort Sumter. Families then began 
to take sides. Soon came the attack of the U. S. 
troops in Baltimore. The time for neutrality had 
passed. I could hold back no longer. While the 



Work in Michigan 



95 



blood of a revolutionary soldier flowed in my veins, 
I did not propose to stand idly by and see the flag 
of our nation insulted, our soldiers shot down, and 
not speak out as a man, and citizen, though min- 
ister of the gospel. This speaking out made my 
situation unpleasant. 

At the meeting of our Presbytery of Kalamazoo, 
I was chosen commissioner to the General Assem- 
bly that met in Syracuse, N. Y. My wife accom- 
panied me on her last visit to her parents near 
Syracuse. The Assembly met on the day the U. 
S. troops marched over the long bridge into 
Virginia. That night Col. Ellsworth was assassi- 
nated. When the Assembly met the next morning 
solemnity pervaded the entire body. Our country 
was the subject of the morning prayer meeting. 
After this came a committee on the state of the 
country, with Albert Barnes as chairman. The 
report of the committee .was able, with the true 
ring in it. 

This was my second attendance on our General 
Assembly. It was pleasant to meet so many whom 
I had known and loved. When we parted, it was 
to meet in the General Assembly of the redeemed. 
Most of that assembly have joined the great assem- 
bly whose names are written in heaven. We re- 
mained a few days after the close of our assembly. 
It was Mrs. Sherwood's last earthly visit with her 



9 6 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Li?ie 



father and mother. They have all years ago met 
to part no more. We stopped a few days with 
my parents at the old homestead in Shelby, N. Y. 

My father was then seventy-nine. It was my 
last visit with him. He died the next March on 
his eightieth birthday. I returned to Buchanan on 
the last of June and remained with them to the 
close of my second year when ended my engage- 
ment at Buchanan. The war became the all- 
engrossing subject. Little was done in churches. 
I was without any ministerial charge for some 
months. In October I was invited to the charge 
of the Presbyterian church, Cassopolis, Mich., the 
county seat of Cass county. I rented my home in 
Buchanan and removed to the parsonage of Cass- 
opolis. Here I found a loyal people and warm 
hearted church, who gave us a Christian welcome. 
The leading elder and his wife I had known since 
1828. We found this church a pleasant and invit- 
ing field for three years. During this time the 
Presbyterian church of Cassopolis attained a 
higher position than it ever held before. God 
crowned our efforts with His blessing. I closed my 
labors at this place October, 1865, but left my 
family here until I could go to North Western 
Missouri and determine whether I would enter that 
field. In order to consolidate ail the work I did 
in Michigan, I here record a year's work done in 



Work in Michigan 97 

1876. During the month of March, 1876, after an 
absence of ten and a half years in Missouri, I re- 
ceived a letter from Mr. D. O. Roberts of Kalama- 
zoo, Michigan, asking me to visit Kalamazoo and 
spend one year in North Kalamazoo in mission 
work. Being under the necessity of passing 
through there about the last of March, I replied to 
him, that I would stop and learn what they wanted 
done. On reaching Kalamazoo, on my journey- 
east, I called to see Mr. Roberts and learn what he 
wanted and what material there was. I accepted 
their proposition, went east, attended to the busi- 
ness to be done, returned and entered upon my 
work in Kalamazoo the second Sabbath of April, 
1876, with a sermon to the children of the mission 
Sabbath School at their chapel, built by the Sabbath 
school of the First Presbyterian church. At night 
I preached to those who had invited me to come 
there, and gather the elements out of which a 
Presbyterian church might be organized in North 
Kalamazoo. I there gave notice that I would be 
happy to meet all that would take hold of this en- 
terprise. A few choice spirits of that locality came 
to the meeting. We adopted the following pro- 
gramme: Monday evening, prayer meeting for the 
willing workers; Wednesday evening, general prayer 
meeting; Sabbath morning, preaching at 10:30 
A. M., Sabbath School at 2 P. M. and preaching 



9 S 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



at 7:30 P. M. I was left to adopt such plans as 
my experience would suggest in ascertaining about 
the material to be employed in the organization. 

North Kalamazoo was that portion of Kalama- 
zoo cut off by the Central Michigan R. R. , running 
through the city. There were at least 3000 inhab- 
itants in this district. The only means of grace 
there was the Wood's Mission Sabbath School. 
Consequently the saloons, houses of ill fame, and 
wickedness generally, had congregated there. The 
police justice's docket showed the fruits of being 
thus left. 

My first work was a moral survey of this field by 
house to house visitation, taking the name of the 
family, their religious preference, or church rela- 
tions, whether Protestant, or Catholic, Jew or 
Gentile, white or black. I then knew what mate- 
rial that part of the town furnished. I found whole 
streets on which there was not a Christian family. 
Yet I was welcomed in every house I entered. I 
told my errand. I invited them to come to church 
Sabbath morning, and their children to Sabbath 
school. There were Catholic families that said 
they only wished their priests would come and talk 
with them as I did. Having learned the field, the 
next thing was to cultivate if for Christ. We had 
the promise in Ps. 126: 6: "He that goeth forth 
and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless 



Work in Michigan 



99 



come again, with rejoicing; bringing his sheaves 
with him." We ventured out on this promise of 
God. Commenced holding cottage meetings on 
Tuesday nights, and Friday nights. Our Monday 
night prayer meetings assured us that there was 
a working band in training for the cottage meetings. 
Our plan was a simple one. Finding a family that 
would welcome such a meeting at their home, we 
announced the place and time of meeting a week 
beforehand. The afternoon before the meeting 
we visited through the neighborhood from house 
to house, and invited all out to the meeting. The 
praying band were on time. We commenced the 
meeting with some familiar song followed by two 
or more prayers, then read an appropriate passage 
of scripture followed the reading with remarks on 
some truth in the lesson read. The meeting was 
then thrown open for song, remarks, or prayers. 
The praying band was ready to fill up the time for 
fifteen or twenty minutes. Then I would make 
some practical remarks, and ask if there were any 
present who desired to be remembered in the clos- 
ing prayer. Almost every meeting developed one 
or more, who would arise, asking prayer for them- 
selves. Before closing, the question was put if 
there were any present, who would like a similar 
meeting at their homes. Generally someone was 
ready with an invitation. The appointment was 



IOO 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



made for next Tuesday night. On Wednesday 
was our general prayermeeting. All were invited 
to attend and the children were invited to the 
Sunday School. The adults were invited to the 
Sabbath service. On Friday night we went to 
another part of our field with a like meeting. In 
this way we were sowing gospel seed and watering 
it with prayer and song. It was not long before 
sheaves began to come in at the Wednesday night 
meeting in the testimony of new born souls, telling 
to sinners all around what a precious Savior they 
had found. It was marvelous what such a course 
of Christian effort accomplished in the twelve 
months that I remained in North Kalamazoo. We 
not only gathered a full chapel on the Sabbath but 
it was often full on Wednesday night to hear the 
testimonies of the young converts. For nearly 
six months there was not a Wednesday night passed 
but brought some new testimony of what Christ 
had done for some one that week. There were a 
large number, about eighty, who professed hope in 
Christ and signed the pledge to become members 
of the church when the organization should take 
place. Saloons were dried up, houses of prostitu- 
tion became houses of prayer. There was one 
notorious place where were a saloon and a dance 
house, with the upper story devoted to rooms ot 
prostitution, all run by one man. Being in that 



Work in Michigan 



101 



neighborhood one day, I heard that the keeper had 
been stricken down with palsy. I went to see 
him. I found him on a bed in the dance hall, re- 
peating this short prayer, "God have mercy on my 
poor soul." I knelt beside his bed, and prayed for 
him. While at prayer a female entered the room. 
As I arose from prayer, I saw her weeping. As I 
approached her, she said: "Mr. Sherwood, I know 
that I ought to be a better woman than I am. I 
had a praying mother. When I came into this 
room and heard the voice of prayer it brought back 
those early impression of my life." The day before 
the stricken man died, he said to his brother: 
"Take down that saloon sign, I do not want to die 
in this house with that sign on it." In less than 
two weeks from that time they carried the poor 
man out of the dance hall, and buried him. We 
held a prayer meeting there, and in less than three 
weeks they opened a Sabbath School in that hall! 

The union evangelist meetings conducted by 
Major Whittle and P. P. Bliss in the fall of 1876 
were a great help in our work. It was near the 
close of Mr. Bliss' labors. He had reached the 
Beulahland; there was glory in his soul. He left 
to all precious evidence he was fitted for the em- 
ployment and enjoyments of that heavenly resi- 
dence to which he was so soon to be transported. 
Their labors were crowned with precious and last- 
ing results. 



102 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



They left Kalamazoo on the last day of Novem- 
oer, 1876. On the last day of December of the 
same year, P. P. Bliss and his lovely wife perished 
in that awful wreck at Ashtabula, Ohio. Not a 
memorial was left of either of them but what they 
had done while living. Illustrating the sentiment of 
Bliss' own hymn, "Only remembered by what I 
have done." 

We continued our systematic work, holding our 
cottage meetings in different parts of North Kala- 
mazoo. The congregation seemed gathered and 
to my mind the time had come for the organization 
of the church. Our helpers were from the Baptist, 
Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian 
churches. While fully in sympathy with the work 
accomplished, they had not yet assimilated their 
belief so that they could covenant together in 
church fellowship. 

While waiting, they lost several who would have 
gone into the organization if it had taken place be- 
fore I left. It was a glorious year's work, and the 
results were permanent, as I can testify from the 
two Sabbaths I spent with them in September of 
1883, which enabled me to see how the work of 
1876 appeared six years after. 

I will let one of the trustees of the First Presby- 
terian church give his opinion: "Mr. Sherwood, 
you did in that year's work what would take ten 



Work in Michigan 



years in the usual routine of pastoral work to have 
accomplished." 

I closed my year's work on the second Sabbath 
of April, 1877. The fruits were a full chapel con- 
gregation gathered with eighty-two person's names, 
to a solemn covenant henceforth to live Christian 
lives. 

We now resume our narrative of removal from 
Michigan to Missouri in the spring of 1866. 

At the close of my engagement at Cassopolis, 
I received a letter from my brother, Dr. Willis M. 
Sherwood, who had removed to St. Joseph, Mis- 
souri, calling my attention to North Western 
Missouri as a field of ministerial labor, asking me 
to visit him and look over that destitute region. 

I made provision for my family to remain in the 
parsonage at Cassopolis and left on the first week 
in November, 1865, for St. Joseph. I had a quick 
and safe passage and spent my first Sabbath at 
Savannah, Andrew county. This town had been 
a Presbyterian center, since the settlement of the 
Rev. Elijah Carson there in 1840, on the opening 
of the Platte Purchase. He had done good pioneer 
work in organizing the first Presbyterian church in 
the bounds of said purchase about ten miles north- 
west of Savannah, and about three miles this side 
of Fillmore. He also organized the New School 
church at Savannah, and built them a meeting 



104 Fifty Years o?i the Skirmish Li7ie 



house. He organized the Presbyterian church at 
Weston, Platte county. Returning from Savan- 
nah I met Rev. B. B. Parsons, D.D., who was 
pastor of the newly organized Westminister church 
of St. Joseph, who informed me that a minister 
was wanted at Weston, the old field of the Rev. 
Frederick Starr, from Rochester, N. Y. I visited 
Weston and found there the Rev. George W. 
Goodale at the head of an academy. He was also 
supplying the Presbyterian church that had been 
resuscitated by Dr. Norton of Alton, 111., and 
himself, and put into working order. I was in- 
vited to remain and spend the following Sabbath 
with them. I did so, and preached twice. I was 
asked to take charge of the church. They were in 
possession of a brick church house and a nice brick 
cottage as a prsonage. I took board with Brother 
Goodale, and entered upon a supply of the pulpit 
and looking after the scattered sheep of that once 
interesting fold. I worked on until the first of 
May, when I returned to Michigan for my family. 
My eldest daughter had decided to remain in Mich- 
igan as the wife of Dr. Thomas W. Anderson, who 
had prepared a home for her at Marshall, Mich. 
My son, Charles, came on from Albion, N. Y., 
where he had been for two years fitting himself for 
a druggist, that we might once more as a family 
be together. While it gave us great pleasure to 



Work in Michigan 105 



meet once more, yet the fact that we were soon to 
separate and all go their several ways, cast over 
us a cloud of gloom. At last, the arrangement 
being completed, a few friends came in to witness 
the marriage of our daughter to Dr. Thomas W. 
Anderson. After the ceremony the good-byes were 
said, and they immediately left for Marshall, Mich. 
My son left with them for Albion, N. Y. My wife 
and daughter Sarah, left with me for Weston, Mis- 
souri, where the parsonage had been put in order 
and was waiting for us. On arrival at St. Joseph, 
Mo., we spent a few days with Brother Willis and 
family and then entered upon the work opened to 
us in Missouri. 



V 



CHAPTER VI. 



WORK IN MISSOURI. 

I am now fifty-six years old. I had been thirty 
years an ordained minister and twenty-nine years 
in active work. I was thus bordering upon that 
age when many ministers are looking for a field 
where they may be quiet. I had entered one where 
the desolation of two wars were felt and seen. The 
border war began the desolation of the Weston 
church, and the war of the rebellion nearly finished 
it. We found the parsonage a nice home, and 
what was left of the church kind and considerate; 
we enjoyed the time we spent there. I gave a good 
deal of my energies to the Sabbath School and at 
our Christmas festival, there was a good impression 
made upon the citizens of Weston. Our congre- 
gations increased and there was spiritual interest 
developed in the congregations. Had we been left 
to prosecute the work of restoring the desolation of 
the Weston church, we should have had growth 
in Sabbath School and the church. We had not 
been long there before orders came from head- 
quarters to go to Breckenridge, Caldwell county, 

106 



Work in Missouri 



107 



and gather the professed members of a Presbyte- 
rian church, and organize them, and put them in 
working order by ordaining elders and choosing 
deacons. I asked the church of Weston what I 
should do. They said, go. 1 went and did the 
work so satisfactorily that it laid the foundation 
for my appointment ere long as Presbyterial mis- 
sionary of the Lexington. Presbytery. I continued 
at Weston, till the next year. At the spring meet- 
ing of Lexington Presbytery I was chosen commis- 
sioner to the General Assembly to meet in 
Rochester, N. Y., on the third Thursday of May 
that year. My brother Willis was lay commis- 
sioner. 

We left in season to reach Rochester for the 
opening services. This was my third attendance 
on the assembly. In the make up of the commit- 
tees, I was given a place on the judicial committee 
which brought me in contact with some of the best 
minds in the assembly. This meeting was a good 
school as a preparation for the work that was 
opening out to me. On my return from the assem- 
bly I found the way was opening for me to enter 
upon the work of a Presbyterial missionary within 
the bounds of the old Lexington Presbytery. I 
received my appointment from New York city, and 
entered upon work. Accordingly, I removed my 
family to St. Joseph where my son had bought and 



108 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

opened a drug store. Thus we were brought once 
more together. My son joined the family, after a 
separation of four years. In entering upon the 
work of a Presbyterial missionary, I found a field 
that covered twenty-five counties, including the 
cities of St. Joseph and Kansas City. There was 
at that time the New School church of Savannah, 
with Rev. T. Reevis as a supply; Rev. B. B. 
Parsons, D.D., pastor of Westminister Church St. 
Joseph; the church of Weston supplied by Rev. 
George W. Goodale; the second church of Kansas 
city, Rev. Timothy Hill pastor; the church which 
I had organized at Breckenridge, supplied by the 
Rev. Joel Kennedy; and the church of Mt. Zion at 
Gentryville vacant. There were Rev. Elijah A. 
Carson and the Rev. Mr. Morgan without charge. 
The Rev. Seth G. Clark about this time had organ- 
ized a small church at Holden, and was supplying 
it. This was all the working force of the Lexing- 
ton Presbytery in twenty-six counties in North 
Western Missouri. There were three kinds of 
work expected of the Presbyterial Missionary: 

ist. Caring for the destitute churches; 2nd. 
Gathering up the churches scattered by the war; 
3d. Organizing new churches where there was 
material for them, and assisting in procuring funds 
to build churches. I had already helped the people 
of Breckenridge to funds that enabled them to erect 
a small church. 



Work in Missouri 



109 



In December, 1867, Maryville, the county seat 
of Nodaway county, opened an inviting field for 
the organization of a Presbyterian church. I visited 
there early in December. The Methodist church 
was tendered us for holding some meetings. I 
accepted their offer and began a series of meetings 
in their house. The word took effect. Backsliders 
returned to duty in penitence. I circulated a paper 
for such to sign as were ready to enter into the 
organization of a Presbyterian church. Sixteen 
persons on the 13th of December, 1867, presented 
themselves for the purpose. Their letters were 
found in order. One young lady came on confes- 
sion of her faith. They entered into covenant with 
God and each other. They chose Daniel Giger, 
John Edwards, Esq., and John Blair as their elders. 
They were ordained and installed to that office. 
They were then declared the Union Presbyterian 
Church of Maryville, Missouri. The reason why 
the word 'Union' was prefixed to Maryville, was 
that there were no less than five different kinds of 
Presbyterians that entered into the make up of the 
church. In November 1867, I visited Easton, 
twelve miles east of St. Joseph, on the Hannibal 
and St. Joseph R. R. On a careful canvass I 
found much that was hopeful. On a second visit I 
drew up the following paper: "We, the under- 
signed, believing the doctrine and receiving the 



no 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



polity of the Presbyterian Church, do by these 
presents associate ourselves together for the pur- 
pose of organizing a church and congregation in 
Easton, Mo." Twenty-two signed this paper. I 
then rented a hall for religious meeting, gave notice 
of preaching next Sabbath, and preached a sermon 
in the hall at the time appointed. After sermon 
twenty-two persons came forward for membership. 
Those having letters presented them. The others 
were examined and found worthy. They covenant- 
ed with Almighty God and each other. They chose 
officers who were ordained and installed. The first 
Sabbath in January was fixed upon for the first 
communion season at Easton. I went down on 
Saturday to hold our preparatory meeting. Four 
new members came forward to unite with the 
church on the morrow. It was the earnest of 
God's blessing on the Sabbath. The presence of 
the Great Head of the church was manifest at the 
first communion season. So much so, that we 
thought best to protract the services for nearly four 
weeks. There were some very marked displays of 
God's saving power. For example: On closing 
my sermon one night, a gentleman arose and asked 
the privilege of speaking. I said, "You can; if 
you will speak for Christ. Speak on." Said he, 
"When I first came to this meeting, I had on my 
person a pistol I had worn for two years. I never 



Work in Missouri 



in 



left home without seeing that it was in order, well 
capped and ready for any emergency. Under a 
sermon which you preached, I saw myself as I 
never had before. I realized I had a heart that 
was desperately wicked and I had enough to attend 
to to get my heart right. The first question that 
presented itself was: Will you leave your pistol at 
home? Here was a point that tried me; for I had 
determined to shoot a certain man on the first 
provocation. It took me a whole day to bring my 
heart to say yes. I said it. Then another ques- 
tion arose: Will you forgive the man you deter- 
mined to kill? It took me two days to settle that 
question. I forgave him, and God forgave me." 
Turning to the father of the man he wanted to 
kill, he went on: "And I forgive you," and 
reached his hand towards the old father. The old 
gentleman extended his hand. They clasped and 
shook hands, and drew together, until they could 
lay heads on each others shoulders; there they 
wept like children. The hall was packed. Others 
looked on until they caught the weeping spirit. 
From that night the pistols were out of that con- 
gregation. Many a deadly feud from that night 
was settled in Easton. There was another no less 
marked case. A leading young lady of Easton at 
the close of my sermon arose to go forward to the 
seat that penitents were to occupy. As she at- 



ii2 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



tempted to step, she fell her whole length forward. 
She was caught by a lady friend and supported in 
a reclining posture. Prayer was offered for her 
and the large number who came forward. When 
she fell it seemed as though half of the congregation 
were on their feet in a moment. I waved my hand 
for them to be seated. When I quieted them, I 
used the event as best I could. 

The young lady could not rise to her feet for 
some time after the services closed. She was 
removed to a friend's home, near by. She was 
present the next night. When the invitation was 
given for those who wished to be subjects of prayer 
she started to go forward, and fell again. After 
the prayer, she arose to her feet and said God had 
heard prayer in her behalf. Her load of guilt was 
gone, her strength had come back, joy filled her 
heart. Her testimony had a marked effect upon 
those who were there both nights. She went home 
that night rejoicing that she had been born again. 
During the four weeks of our meeting, seventy-six 
came forward to the church making with those 
who united on the first Sabbath eighty new mem- 
bers, giving us a church of 103 members; the 
society was incorporated according to the laws of 
the state, and trustees chosen. A lot for a meeting 
house was secured. A subscription was started 
headed by one man with $300.00, and in less than 



Work in Missouri 



113 



one year, we had a church house, 60x40 feet, 
finished and dedicated. At the spring meeting 
we reported the largest church in Lexington Pres- 
bytery. It was made up of a strange medley from 
different sections of our own country, New Yorkers, 
Pennsylvanians, Ohioans, Kentuckians, and native 
Missourians, trained in different churches. One 
quarter of them were from the Reformed Presby- 
terian Church; quite a number were Lutherans, 
only a fraction of them were trained up in the 
Presbyterian faith. Some were from the Cumber- 
lands. If I could have given myself wholly to 
them I believe I could have brought about an 
assimilation that would have made them a strong 
church. We had not ministers to meet the exigen- 
cies of the occasion. I did the best I could for 
them. What they needed was a resident pastor. 
We introduced a minister there; but he cared more 
for the fleece than he did for the flock. He did 
not hold those we had committed to him. Under 
him they began to scatter; some removed to other 
places, some drew off to other churches, organ- 
ized near them. Mr. Hugh Carmichel one of the 
converts who was made elder, has remained at his 
post, has kept a fast hold of the Sabbath School, 
is an honor to the church and a blessing to those 
around him. 

In June, 1869, I organized a church of six 



ii4 Fifty Years o?i the Skirmish Line 



members at Osborn, Dekalb county, on the R. 
R. line. The Rev. C. W. Higgins had made a 
home for his growing family at this point, had 
gathered an efficient Sabbath School, had built a 
small meeting house, and had drawn around him 
those that feared God and worked righteousness. 
The church grew, and out of it came three efficient 
Presbyterian ministers. The youth trained in this 
Sabbath School are doing a good work for Christ 
wherever God in His Providence has cast their lot. 
This church like others, who were made up from 
emigrant population, has suffered by removals and 
death. 

During the year 1869, Rev. Joel Kennedy, pastor 
of Breckenridge church, in his labors in the region 
beyond his own field found in New York Settlement 
eight miles west of Breckenridge a people who de- 
sired gospel privileges. He visited them, held 
meetings with them from time to time. They 
asked that a* church might be organized there. I 
visited them late in this autumn, holding meetings 
evenings, and visiting from house to house by 
day. An interest was awakened, and a goodly 
number, more women than men, gave their names 
as candidates for church membership. They were 
the best citizens of the Settlement. Some of the 
men whose wives had given their names pledged 
to support the enterprise if we would organize. I 



Work in Missouri 



"5 



did organize the Presbyterian church of New York 
Settlement. They chose their elder who was 
ordained and set over them. A deacon was set 
apart to his duties. They passed to the care of 
Brother Kennedy. They have grown, built a meet- 
ing house and are exerting a happy Christian influ- 
ence on that prosperous Settlement. Would that 
we had such a church in scores of towns in the 
bounds of Platte Presbytery! 

I was soon called to Wheeling on the same R. 
R., at the eastern limit of Platte Presbytery, to 
organize a Presbyterian church. I went down in 
November and complied with their wishes, ordaining 
and installing an elder and a deacon over them. 
They were grouped with Chillicothe. They have 
never been cared for as they ought to have been. 

Three miles from Market Square in St. Joseph, 
on the Upper Amazonia road is a good country 
school house where my brother Willis had conduc- 
ted a Sabbath School composed of children of the 
families within a circumference of two miles The 
people within this radius were mostly non-church- 
goers, and took but little interest in religious 
matters. The Sabbath School was a mission 
school of the Westminister church of St. Joseph. 
Mr. Logan Maxwell and others had invited me to 
hold a series of meetings at that school house. 
Friday, November 5th, was the time agreed 



n6 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



upon to commence our meetings. I went to the 
school house in season to give notice in the school 
of our meetings. A good congregation gathered at 
the first meeting. There were evident tokens at 
this meeting that the Holy Spirit had gone before, 
preparing the way for a precious ingathering of 
souls into the fold of the Great Shepherd. There 
being no school on Saturday we held meetings Sat- 
urday afternoon and night, with two services on 
the Sabbath. At the Sabbath morning meeting I 
asked for the first expression of feeling. A number 
arose. The meeting at night indicated increased 
interest. Monday was devoted to calling on those 
who had publicly expressed interest. My sermon 
Monday night was on repentance. All through the 
house there was weeping. From this time the re- 
vival interest went steadily forward. New cases 
of interest developed at every meeting. The days 
except Saturday and Sabbath were devoted to 
calling on all classes. Our preaching service at 
night was preceded by a thirty minute prayer 
meeting for God's special blessing on that night's 
service. Thus we worked on for three weeks. 
Thirty-eight gave their names as candidates for 
membership in a new church to be organized at 
the school house. Five persons presented letters 
of dismission, making forty-three. Thirty-one of 
the converts received baptism. The converts then 



Work in Missouri 



117 



gave their assent to the fundamental doctrines of 
the Presbyterian church. Then the forty-three 
entered into covenant with God and each other, 
this act constituting them a church of the Lord 
Jesus Christ. They took the name of Oak Grove 
church in connection with Platte Presbytery, the 
legal successor of the Lexington and Upper Mis- 
souri Presbyteries by virtue of the union of the 
Old and New School General Assemblies at Pitts- 
burgh. They chose Logan Maxwell and Joshua 
Haxen elders. These brethren having answered 
the constitutional questions were set apart to the 
eldership by laying on of hands and prayer. I was 
requested to supply them every alternate Sabbath. 

The question of building a meeting house was 
settled by the donation of a desirable lot from 
Logan Maxwell and a contribution from the Brick 
church of Rochester, N. Y., which enabled them 
to build the following season. On finishing up my 
work at Oak Grove, I accepted an invitation from 
the United Church of Savannah to conduct a 
series of meetings at their church, Rev. J. Emery 
Fisher a licentiate being their supply. On reach- 
ing Savannah, I asked for a meeting of all who 
desired my services. They assembled as soon 
as they could. I asked them for what intent had 
they sent for me. They replied, "We thought 
the time had come to do something for our fami- 



n8 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



lies and church." I asked them how many there 
were in their congregation who could be reached 
by an honest effort for their salvation. They 
named over some twenty-five. I took down their 
names, and requested the list copied, and that they 
be made subjects of special prayer. The first 
meeting was held in the brick church. Brother 
Carson invited me to make his house my home 
while in Savannah. "We arranged for two services, 
one at 2 P. M., the other at 7:30 P. M. My first 
sermon was written. The forty that I preached 
after that I did not take even a scrap of paper into 
the pulpit. They were carefully prepared extem- 
pore sermons. My first call was on the third night 
after a sermon from Jer. 17:9, "The heart is 
deceitful above all things and desperately wicked." 
Mr. John Tynor, a leading merchant led and four- 
teen followed him to front seats. The waters of 
life were unsealed, and most of the fifteen drank that 
night; and were made partakers of eternal life, 
and entered into Christian service. Our afternoon 
meetings were precious seasons. There were 
marked cases of answer to prayer. A wife was 
brought to Christ by the agonizing prayer of her 
husband, converted in the early part of the meet- 
ing. There was a little child came forward alone 
only nine years old. I asked her why she came 
forward. She replied with clear tone of voice: 



Work in Missouri 



HQ 



"Mr. Sherwood, ever since you preached that we 
must have new hearts or we could not see the 
Kingdom of God, I have wanted a new heart. I 
have come to ask you to pray that God would give 
me a new heart." The child's answer produced a 
sensation that was felt in that full house. God 
gave her a new heart. I met her eight years after. 
She was then a young lady of seventeen, in her 
junior year in the full seminary course of study. 
Her pastor told me she was the most consecrated 
young person in his church, a practical missionary 
among the colored children of Jacksonville, 111. 
The work of grace widened and deepened, taking 
hold on business men, professional men, lawyers 
and judges. We worked four weeks, carrying the 
revival interest through and over the holiday 
season up to the first Sabbath of January, 1870, 
on which day we received fifty-seven to the com- 
munion of the Union Church. These were the 
fruits of the thirty days and nights of hard work. 
The number embraced many heads of families, 
judges of the county courts, lawyers, merchants, 
business men, the head of the Union school, with 
some of the promising youth of Savannah. Twelve 
years after, I met Rev. J. Emery Fisher on the 
floor of the General Assembly. In speaking of 
the meeting at Savannah, he said: "Mr. Sher- 
wood, I have never seen such a meeting as the one 



120 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



you conducted in Savannah. Will you not come 
and conduct one in my present field?" Sometime 
after this he wrote me to come to his help, but I 
could not. 

On closing at Savannah, I was invited by Rev. 
Edward Cooper, D.D., of Atchison, Kans, to assist 
him in a series of meetings in his church at Atchi- 
son. This was the gentleman who had written 
up the work my lectures to boatmen accomplished 
in the Syracuse daily of which he was the editor 
at that time. He thought if I could do such a 
work among boatmen, I could do something for 
the good people of Atchison. His church at this 
time was not the leading church in Atchison. They 
were worshiping in a square hall on the second 
floor. Dr. Cooper had some able men and excel- 
lent families in his church. It did not draw the 
multitude. The work there was from house to 
house and hand to hand, very different from the 
work I had left at Savannah. We visited during 
the day; I preached at night in the hall. It was a 
profitable meeting for that church; many of them 
took their soundings and found themselves where 
they ought not to be, and returned to duty recon- 
secrating themselves to the Lord and becoming 
mediums through which God brought salvation to 
their prayerless husbands and their baptised 
children. The waters of life did not rise high 



Work in Missouri 



121 



enough to impart their saving power to the many 
that were living without God, and without hope. 
It was a blessing to the church and the pastor. 
They have passed out from the shadows of the 
other denominations. They have now one of the 
finest church buildings in eastern Kansas. Their 
number on the roll of Presbytery is primus. When 
I was called there as a supply during the sickness 
of their pastor, I found them the drawing congre- 
gation of Atchison. 

While I was assisting Dr. Cooper, I had a call 
from Dr. Timothy Hill, who at that time was 
overseer of Home Missions in the state of Missouri. 
He came to consult about our church work at 
Chillicothe. Our missionary had disaffected the 
elders and trustees and their families. The church 
was closed, and Dr. Hill feared all was lost But 
he wished me to go there and see what I could do. 
My instructions were to go on there as soon as 
I could, and save the church if possible. The 
church at Chillicothe was organized by the Upper 
Missouri Presbytery. During the war it had been 
badly scattered. On the union of the Presbyteries 
of Upper Missouri and Lexington, Platte Presby- 
tery became the legal successor and sent a Home 
Missionary who was not as wise as Solomon, — who 
disgusted the elders and trustees of the church, 
so that they would not go near him. The meeting 



122 Fifty Years on tJte Skirmish Line 



house was turned into a school house and the mis- 
sionary was running a school. 

I found there three parties, the elders and trus- 
tees, five families who were in sympathy with the 
south, and quite a party that were in sympathy 
with the missionary. His party had in it some 
members of the church in good standing and more 
that had no standing. After looking over the 
situation and earnest prayer, I came to the con- 
clusion that if I could bring about the return of the 
families, who had southern sympathies, their re- 
union with the official members would save the 
church, and put us in a position where we could 
begin work again. My visit to the five families 
was successful. I appointed a meeting; the union 
was effected. The members who had been acting 
with the missionary came in with us. The Holy 
Spirit was present with power. We held meetings 
at night, and visited among the people during the 
day. Sabbath night a young married couple asked 
for admission to the church on profession of their 
faith and baptism. We received them and bap- 
tised them. This was God's seal to the work I 
had begun among that people. From that night 
the Holy Spirit rested upon the congregation. The 
saving grace of God was manifest for three weeks. 
We gathered in twenty-two members so that not 
only was the church saved but it was firmly united 



Work in Missouri 



123 



and greatly strengthened, and took rank as one of 
our better churches. I visited them every alternate 
Sabbath until they settled a pastor who remained 
with them for years. 

I soon met Dr. Hill; he took me by the hand and 
said: "Brother Sherwood, you did for Chillicothe 
what I thought no man could do." I told him that 
it was God working through me who did it. 
During the time I was supplying them, a lady came 
to me after sermon and asked me to visit her sick 
husband before I left town. I found him the boldest 
infidel I had ever met. He was a lawyer. I read 
the Bible and prayed with him. As I was about 
leaving, he said, "Call again. I want to show you 
how an infidel can die." His wife followed me 
into the hall and asked me to covenant with her to 
pray that God would save him. "I can not see 
him die," she said, "without making an honest 
effort for his salvation." I covenanted with her. 
I called four times on him, and saw the effect of 
the honest effort for his salvation. On my fifth 
visit, I was met as I stepped from the car, by a 
messenger requesting me to go directly to the home 
of the sick man. I complied. I was shown to 
his room. As I entered, he said: "I sent for you 
to tell of the great change I have experienced since 
you called on me. I want publicly to confess 
Christ before my children and all others. I want 



124 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



to be baptised a Christian, and confess Christ at 
the communion table." I said to him, "I will have 
the session of the church meet here this afternoon, 
who will receive you to their church. I will ad- 
minister to you the sacraments of the church and 
enroll your name among God's people." This met 
his wishes. The session came. He told us the 
great change he had passed through. He was 
accepted and I baptised him. The Lord's table 
was spread; he ate and drank in honor of Christ 
Jesus his Savior. Before two weeks came around 
he died a Christian and not an infidel. Mrs. 
Wait made an honest effort. In her wrestling 
with God, she prayed herelf into the Beulah land; 
she lived there. Her pastor t.old me that it was 
almost marvelous what power she had in prayer. 
The conversion of the infidel husband and the four 
children attested the truth of the apostle James, 
"The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous 
availeth much." 

In August, 1870, the Rev. Dr. Hill wrote 
asking me to go to Moberly, Randolph county, 
Mo., a new town on the St. Louis and Northern 
Missouri R. R. A church was wanted there; if the 
way opened, organize it. The way opened. On 
canvassing three days, I found twenty-nine who 
signed the following paper: "We, the undersigned, 
believing the doctrine and receiving the polity of 



Work in Missouri 



125 



the Presbyterian church, do by these presents 
associate ourselves together for the purpose of 
organizing and sustaining a Presbyterian church 
' and congregation at Moberly, Mo." Having en- 
listed that number I thought we ought to have 
a drill before we entered into an engagement with 
those we had to meet. I had learned that Palmyra 
Presbytery had lost two engagements for the want 
of a proper drill before they attempted to go into 
action. The only place that I could find for drill 
was in a Baptist Church. Securing this, I gave 
notice of preaching there twice on the Sabbath. 
On Sabbath morning I preached the first sermon 
that had been preached there by a northern minis- 
ter since the beginning of the war, which split the 
synod of the old school churches. We were 
greeted with a good audience. In the evening we 
fixed upon the first Sabbath of September as the 
day for organizing a Presbyterian church at 
Moberly, a preparatory meeting to be held on the 
Saturday before at 2 o'clock P. M. I returned to 
St. Joseph, and spent the intervening time in 
meeting the accumulating work growing upon my 
hands. 

I returned to Moberly on the first of September, 
and found a protracted meeting in the Cumberland 
Presbyterian church under the lead of two Southern 
Presbyterian ministers. That was the way they 



126 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



had defeated two attempts of the Palmyra brethren 
to organize. They drew away one of the 
twenty-nine, a young man. We met according to 
appointment. On Saturday the recruits were there 
save the one. Their letters were in order. We 
attended to all the preliminaries. After a sermon 
on Sabbath morning, the action of Saturday was 
rehearsed, the names of the candidates for mem- 
bership were called, each taking his place in front 
of the pulpit, and entering into covenant with God 
and each other. They then chose Messrs, T. 
McKay Wilson and Richard Jackson elders. After 
answering the constitutional questions they were 
set apart to their work and installed as overseers 
of the church. They were then declared the Pres- 
byterian church of Moberly, Mo. The Lord's table 
was then spread and the supper administered. The 
presence of the Great Head was realized as His 
blessing on work done. The action taken was re- 
ported to stated clerk of Palmyra Presbytery. I 
then commended them to God and His watchful 
care. They lengthened their cords and strengthened 
their stakes. They are the third in membership 
of Palmyra Presbytery. 

I gave what remained of this year to Oak Grove, 
Phelps City and Willow Brook. The year was one 
of blessed results. It opened with the ingathering 
of the rich harvest of Savannah, and included the 



Work in Missouri 



127 



saving of the church of Chillicothe, the work at 
Moberly where there had been two failures, the re- 
suscitation of Willow Brook and getting a sub- 
scription for church house. 

1871. — The second Sabbath of January of this 
year I spent at Rockport the county seat of Atchi- 
son County. This church was organized by the 
Upper Missouri Presbytery before the union took 
place. After the English Grove church four miles 
from there took the Southern shoot, this division 
operated against the growth of our denomination 
in this locality. I was requested to give one Sab- 
bath out of every month to Rockport, for the 
ensuing year, the third Sabbath to Oak Grove, the 
fourth Sabbath to Phelps City. On the fifth Sab- 
bath, I was invited to begin a series of meetings at 
Filmore, then supplied by Rev. J. N. Young. I 
began at the time appointed and preached twice a 
day for two weeks. Fifteen were received to the 
Filmore church. Two of these members were 
daughters of the pastor. Willow Brook asked for 
a series of meetings. I spent a week with them. 
It was a precious week in the addition of substan- 
tial members. I baptized one of the converts at 
the age of sixty-seven. This week's labors for- 
warded measures for the completion of their house 
of worship. The last week in February I gave to 
the North St. Joseph mission, with an efficient 



128 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



Sabbath School, preparing the way for organizing 
another church at the right time. The months of 
March and April were given to the new churches 
under my care. In May I was called to Daviess 
county. In the early settlement of this county 
Rev. Artemas Bullard, D.D., of the First Presby- 
terian church of St. Louis, the real superintendent 
of Home Missions for the Synod of Missouri, sent 
up to this county a young man, a licentiate by the 
name of Henderson, who was in search of afield of 
ministerial labor. He was directed to Clear Creek 
in Daviess County. He there gathered a congrega- 
tion. Rev. Timothy Morgan, of Gentry County, 
came to his aid and organized what was known as 
the Clear Creek Presbyterian church. Not long 
after this he was taken sick and died. The place 
of his burial is unknown. The Clear Creek church 
was the only memorial he left. This was scattered 
by the war. 

I was requested to visit there and gather together 
what could be found. On going there I found the 
members left were living miles from the old center 
of the church and its significant name. Therefore 
it was deemed advisable to change the name to 
Bethel, and build their meeting house in the 
center of the membership now there. They built 
themselves a pleasant church house which I assist- 
ed in dedicating to the worship of the Triune God. 



Work in Missouri 



129 



They are grouped with the Gallatin church. On 
the 29th of April, 1 871, in connection with Rev. 
Duncan McRuer, I organized the Presbyterian 
church of Gallatin with eleven members. A. 
McDowell and B. Callahan were chosen elders, 
ordained and installed over the new church. I re- 
mained and preached on Sabbath, received one new 
member after which I administered to them the 
Lord's supper, returning on Monday to St. Joseph. 
During the month of May I pursued my round 
among the unsupplied churches. The General 
Assembly met at Chicago this year. I took a few 
days to look in upon them and learned some im- 
portant things. Then I dropped down and visited 
my daughter and family at Berrien Springs, Mich., 
and was much refreshed with a week's rest. 

At the fall meeting of Presbytery they adjourned 
to meet at Lathrop on the ninth of October, to 
ordain and install licentiate Joseph H. France, if 
the way was clear. My appointment on Sabbath 
the 8th was at Rockport seventy-five miles north- 
west from St. Joseph. Presbytery was to meet on 
Monday the 9th, forty-five miles south-east of St. 
Joseph. I saw no way to reach there but to with- 
draw my night appointment and go over to the R. 
R. five miles and take the ten o'clock train for St. 
Joseph; which I did in the most terrific wind storm 
I ever encountered. I reached home at midnight 



13° 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



and learned that the city of Chicago was all on fire. 
I caught only four hours sleep, and at 6 A. M., 
took the train for Lathrop. The storm prevented 
a quorum and we had to wait until a quorum 
came. Presbytery was constituted on the ioth, 
the candidate received from Kansas City Presbytery, 
and examined, his examination was sustained and 
he was ordained and installed. The young pastor 
and his wife presented their first-born son for bap- 
tism. He was baptized. Since then I have bap- 
• tised another son and daughter for these dear 
parents. He is now pastor of a church of about 
five hundred members. On the 20th of October, 
being in the vicinity of the Synod of Iowa, I looked 
in upon our neighbors on the north. I was cor- 
dially received and spent a pleasant and profitable 
day with them. I found Rev. Luther Dodd with- 
out a charge and asked him to come over to help 
us. He came and spent some years in Atchison 
County, Mo., in labors for Christ and the upbuild- 
ing of our churches in that county. On the 4th of 
October I visited Hackberry Ridge and preached 
at their school house, which visit led to a series of 
meetings, the organization of a church and the 
building of a good frame church within a year from 
this time. On the following Sabbath I dedicated 
the new church at Oak Grove and received two 
members into the church. November 5th, we 



Work in Missouri 131 



dedicated the new church at Willow Brook to the 
worship of God, followed with some special meet- 
ings. The annual thanksgiving was spent with 
my family. 

The month of December was divided between 
Willow Brook, Barnard, Filmore, a series of meet- 
ings at Rosendale, and a series at Hackberry Ridge 
which led to the organization of a church there, 
closing the year 1871 with a precious ingathering 
of converts for Christ. 

1872. — Spent New Year's with my family. On 
the next day I received my commission as Presby- 
terian Missionary for this current year. After 
visiting Dr. Hill at Kansas City, and settling on 
plans of work for the coming year, I visited Willow 
Brook and spent four days with them. Then I 
went to Barnard to hold a communion service; 
had a preparatory meeting Saturday and examined 
candidates for membership, preached at night, and 
on the Sabbath. Received the new members, 
administered the Lord's Supper, preaching also at 
night. After returning home, I went to Easton,. 
and married Dr. George Loomis to Franke Scoviel. 
At home I found a letter from Rev. J. H. France, 
asking for my help in a meeting at Lathrop. Be- 
fore going there I went to Hackberry, preached 
there twice. At Lathrop I preached twice every 
day for eight days, and received six into the church 



132 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



as the fruit of the labors. Returned to St. Joseph 
and found an accumulation of letters demanding 
answers at once. On Saturday, I left for Barnard, 
preached on Sabbath, receiving into the church 
and baptizing Ida Jane McCandless; returned 
home Monday. By request I went to Osborn on 
Wednesday and visited Mr. George A. McKinlay, 
who was considering the question, "Ought I to give 
myself to the work of the ministry of the gospel?" 
We had a full consideration of the above question. 
He decided to begin a course of preparation which 
I suggested for him. He has been a useful min- 
ister twenty years. I returned home, but left at 
once for Filmore, where I preached three times and 
held a session meeting. On Friday, February 23d, 
I went down to Weston, preached that night, and 
spent Saturday visiting families, preaching again at 
night. Three interesting cases offered themselves 
for membership to the church. John and George 
Brill and Mrs. Laura Maitland, the only daughter 
of the Rev. George W. Goodale. They were ex- 
amined and accepted by the session. Mr. John 
Cameron and wife from Montreal, Canada, were 
received by letter. After sermon on Sabbath 
morning these persons were admitted to church 
fellowship. The work continued till Tuesday night 
when Mr. Solomon Wallace came forward asking 
for membership. After being examined, received 



Work in Missouri 



133 



and baptized, he entered into covenant with the 
church. I left the church hopeful, returning home 
March 1st. March 2nd, I left for Willow Brook 
where I preached two sermons on the Sabbath. 
Monday was devoted to changing residences from 
8th to 10th street. The next Saturday I went up 
to Barnard, and preached two sermons on the 
Sabbath. At five P. M., on Monday, I left for 
Quincy to meet my wife, on her return from Mich- 
igan. 

Thursday took me to Filmore, where I preached 
that night, Friday and Saturday nights. On Sab- 
bath I preached and received and baptized Mrs. 
Root, a lady seventy-six years old. The next day 
after my return home, I left for Bethel church, 
Daviess County. Rev. Mr. Pinkerton was there. 
On Friday I preached the first sermon in their 
new church house, preaching also at night and 
Saturday morning. Brother Pinkerton preached 
Saturday night. Four persons came forward to 
the church. Sunday March 24th, I preached and 
dedicated their new church house to the worship 
of God. After this I received the four candi- 
dates for membership to the church, two by letter 
and two on profession of their faith. Brother 
Pinkerton then administered the Lord's Supper, 
and preached at night. The house was packed 
both times. On Monday I preached at 1 1 A. M. 



134 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



and at 7 P. M., and. after preaching on Tuesday 
at 1 1 A. M. I took my leave of this people who had 
endeared themselves to us by their kindness. 
Bethel is near Gallatin, and there I met the clerk 
of the session and reviewed the minutes of the 
Gallatin church beside assisting him in making his 
report to Presbytery. Preached at night in the 
courthouse, and left for home next morning, but 
went on the same night to Weston. Sabbath, 
March 31st, was Easter, and I preached on the 
resurrection, followed by an evening service. 

April 2nd the spring meeting of Platte Presbytery 
was held at Savannah. I was unexpectedly called 
to preach the opening sermon. It fell to me to 
preside until Rev. M. L. Anderson was chosen 
moderator. Wednesday came my report on mission 
work done, also the report of a committee on Sab- 
bath Schools. I spoke Thursday on the relation of 
the church to Sabbath Schools. Friday returned 
home to attend to my correspondence. The next 
Sabbath was spent at Willow Brook, and after a 
visit to Hamilton, I went to Wheeling where I spent 

Sabbath, speaking words of encouragement to a 
discouraged people. Returned home on my sixtieth 
birthday. My diary reads: "Thirty six years I 
have been a minister of Christ's gospel. Oh! what 
a privilege to do and suffer, for One who has 
suffered so much for me!" 



Work in Missouri 



135 



Saturday April 27th, a telegram came from Mr. 
James McCandless of Barnard, that his adopted 
daughter Ida Jane had died. I hurried away on 
the first train and preached her funeral sermon on 
Sabbath morning. In the afternoon I married Mr. 
John V. Nelson of Maryville to Miss Lizzie Bar- 
ringer of Bolckow. On Friday, May 3, I was 
called to Mound City to organize a Presbyterian 
church. 

Sunday May 5th, I preached from 1 Tim. 3:15: 
The church of the living God, the ground and 
pillar of truth. After sermon, six persons pre- 
sented themselves as desiring the organization of a 
Presbyterian church at Mound City. These persons 
accepted the doctrines and received the form of 
government of the Presbyterian church. They 
covenanted with Almighty God and each other. 
They then chose W. W. Frazier as elder. He 
was duly ordained and installed overseer of the new 
church. The Lord's table was then spread and 
the sacrament of the Supper was administered. I 
returned home on Monday and spent the week 
there. Saturday May nth I went to Hackberry 
to prepare for the organization of a Presbyterian 
church there on the morrow, preaching at night 
and also on Sabbath morning. At three o'clock, 
Dr. Cruickshank came over from Savannah to 
assist. Twenty-six candidates presented them- 



136 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



selves, the majority of them were the fruit of the 
series of meetings held the last week of December, 
1871. They accepted the doctrines of and received 
the polity of the Presbyterian church, covenanted 
with God and each other. John Legget, Theo- 
dore Hunter and Elijah Martin were chosen elders. 
These brethern were ordained and set over this 
church. I returned home Monday. 

May 1 8th, went to Filmore, and had an evening 
service. A session meeting was held and three 
members were suspended from the communion of 
the church. Sunday May 19th, communion was 
held, the sermon being from John 11:56: The 
Feast and its Guest. I went to Breckenridge on 
Wednesday and reviewed the records oi that church. 
Sabbath was spent at Barnard. Saturday June 
1st, I went to Mirabile and preached Sabbath morn- 
ing and night, returning Monday. A week later I 
went to Barnard and met those who were anxious 
to build a meeting house. A subscription paper 
was drawn up and received a fair start. Made 
calls Saturday on families, preaching at 2 P. M. a 
sermon preparatory to the communion. James 
Garvin and wife were received by letter. Chris- 
topher Baker, and James Garvin were chosen 
deacons. Preached on Sunday and administered 
the Lord's Supper. Thursday June 13th, Henry 
Page M. D., was married to my niece, Miss Carrie 



Work in Missouri 



137 



O. Cheeseman, at Dr. Willis M. Sherwood's, St. 
Joseph. 

The next Sabbath was spent at Filmore. On 
Friday June 21st, I went to Albany, Gentry County, 
to begin a series of meetings, on invitation of Rev. 
Duncan McRuer, stated supply; preached Friday 
and Saturday nights. Sabbath morning sixteen 
candidates were examined by the session and ac- 
cepted. Three were baptized. Rev. McRuer admin- 
istered the Lord's Supper. I preached at night and 
found deep interest. A children's meeting was held 
on the 24th. We continued the meetings, visiting 
during each day until July 2d, when I visited 
Martinsville and preached on "Our Mission; 
Saving the Lost." The next day I was again at 
Albany and on Thursday, July 4th, I returned 
home. 

Saturday July 6th took me to Forest City to ex- 
amine that church. After an interview with the 
session, it seemed best for me to stay over the 
Sabbath, and preach in the Baptist church. After 
sermon, the congregation requested me to supply 
them once a month until the meeting of Presby- 
tery. The 13th was spent at Barnard; preached 
twice on the Sabbath. 

On the 19th I went to Filmore, and held a meet- 
ing at 3 o'clock • On Sabbath I called a meeting 
at 2 o'clock of all the children of Filmore and 



138 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



their parents; gave them a talk on Sunday School 
and organized a Sunday School. Wednesday, July 
24th, a letter came to me from Dr. Wilson, Secre- 
tary of the Board of Church Erection, containing a 
draft for one thousand dollars requesting me to act 
as their agent in seeing to the title and conveyance 
of a church belonging to the Wesleyan Methodists 
of Hamilton. I went down to Hamilton that night, 
and spent the next day in examining papers per- 
taining to the transfer of the property. They were 
defective and I demanded that a new deed be made. 
On August 2nd, a letter reached me from Hamilton 
saying that everything had been made right. When 
I went down I found the business done wrong. I 
told them I would not pay over a cent of money 
until everything was right, and hence returned home 
and deposited the money in bank. The evening 
of August 3d I preached in Forest City. The 
church chose Mr. John Demuth elder. Having 
already been ordained and having served in that 
capacity, he was immediately installed. Mrs. 
France presented a letter from the Fourth Presby- 
terian church of Washington City, D. C. , and she 
was received, Sabbath morning after sermon the 
sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered. 
I gave the week following to Filmore, holding 
meetings every night, and closing my year's engage- 
ment with them. Upon my return home I found 



Work in Missouri 



139 



my wife sick, and at once wrote for the return of 
our youngest daughter from Michigan. 

Sabbath September 1st, was my day at Forest 
City, and in the morning I preached from Joshua 
24:15 on Family Religion; in the evening from Isa. 
57:21: No peace to the wicked. September 3d 
the fall meeting of our Presbytery was held at 
Oregon. On entering upon business, I offered the 
following: "Resolved, That the time has come 
when Platte Presbytery should undertake the work 
of founding a training school for the education of 
ministers and teachers to meet the wants of the 
Missouri valley." I made my report on Home 
Missionary work done in the Presbytery of Platte. 
The report was accepted and adopted. Presbytery 
voted to request the Board of Home Missions to 
renew my commission for another year. I was 
appointed a committee to bring in a report on a 
training school at the spring meeting. I was also 
appointed on mances, and with others on grouping 
churches. Mr. George A. McKinlay was licensed 
to preach and a course of study was designated. 
Presbytery adjourned to meet at Weston. 

On the 1 2th I received a letter informing me of 
the sickness of my aged mother, and her strong 
desire to see me at her bed side. I made my ar- 
rangements to leave on the following Monday. In 
the meantime I went down and filled an appoint- 



140 -Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



ment at Parkville on Friday September 13th, 
spending the night with Hon. George S. Park, one 
of the elders of the church and the founder of it. 
I took a horse and visited the members of the 
church, of whom I found sixteen resident. They 
had a stone church house and a small brick par- 
sonage. They gave me a good audience. On Sab- 
bath September 15th, I preached to them 
in the morning. I left St. Joseph Monday morning 
for Millville, N. Y, reaching Medina at 4 P. M. on 
the 15th of September. My brother Guy met me 
at Medina and drove me to his home where I met 
my sisters, Mrs. Jane Cheeseman, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Ryan and sister Maria, Brother Guy's wife. 
After tea, I visited our mother. She was waiting 
for me. I found her in possession of her mental 
and spiritual powers. She was physically very 
feeble. My sisters had been with her about two 
weeks. They had left their families for this last 
care they could render to one of the best of 
mothers. On Sabbath morning, September 22nd, 
I preached at the church where 1 united on the first 
Sabbath of April, 1831. My mother was the last 
members surviving of those who entered into the 
organization. As I looked over the congregation 
that mornnig I saw I was the oldest one present. 
I addressed the Sabbath school and preached at 
night. Sister Hatch came up on Monday morning 



Work in Missouri 



141 



from Rochester. Sister Ryan felt that she could 
remain no longer. It was her last interview with 
mother until they met in the great beyond, a few 
years after. (Her death was very sudden and with- 
out warning. She led in the family worship hymn, 
"I love to tell the story." Prayer was offered 
by % her husband. She retired to their bed. 
They had not been in bed over an hour, 
when her husband heard a strange sound. He 
arose, struck a light, but her spirit had gone to 
God who gave it. She was at home among the 
redeemed before the throne. She was fitted for 
the enjoyment and employments of that world.) 

The leave-taking was too much for mother. She 
had a sinking time after it. On the 24th, Sister 
Cheeseman took her leave of mother. She has also 
joined her on the other shore. (She was not trans- 
lated like Sister Ryan. Hers was death from 
cancer in the stomach. She bore the pain with 
Christian fortitude. She has been joined by her 
son, Rev. Eugene G. Cheeseman, Marcellus, N. Y. , 
who was taken away from his work ere he reached 
his prime.) When my sister left, mother seemed 
to cling to me. She became quite worried, fearing 
that I might have to leave also. I told her I came 
to remain with her until she was better or worse. 
This relieved her mind and she wanted me by her 
bed side. Sister Hatch came from Rochester to 



142 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



remain till the closing scene. We all saw that it 
was nearing. The last Sabbath mother spent on 
earth sister Hatch and myself were with her. She 
fully realized that she was near her rest. She 
longed to enter into rest. Wednesday the 9th of 
October she asked us, not to pray that her life be 
continued in this vale of tears. During the day 
she lay in a comatose state, rarely speaking. About 
7 P. M. her arm was pulseless, and the death-damp 
was on her person. At 9 o'clock, she offered a 
short prayer, and after a few minutes, she said, 
"Come, Lord Jesus," repeating it four times. She 
paused as in the very presence of her Lord Jesus, 
and then said: "Into thy hands, dear Lord Jesus, 
I commend my spirit." She then carried my hand 
which was on her wrist, to the top of her head, 
and placed it there. She seemed conscious of the 
death line. It had not reached the base of her 
brain. I put my hand down upon her cheek and 
watched the dead line as it advanced upward until 
it struck the base of her brain, the moment that it 
touched the vital nerve her spirit took its flight. 
Such a death I never saw before. It was the over- 
shadowing of the divine presence of her dear "Lord 
Jesus, who had answered her call, and accepted her 
spirit that she had commended to Him. She was 
eighty-eight years and twenty-two days old. Her 
mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Adams Barber, the wife of 



Work in Missouri 



143 



Judge Elisha Barber, lived to be eighty-eight years 
and two months old. My grandfather, Nathan 
Sherwood lived to be eighty-four. My grandmother 
Joanna Noble Sherwood lived to be eighty-six. 
My mother made a profession of religion at the age 
of eighteen. On Friday, October nth, her funeral 
was attended at her house. Her sons bore the 
casket to the cemetery my father had deeded for 
that purpose from his farm in 1820. We laid her 
body beside father's, who died on his eightieth 
birthday. My own daughter and son are sweet 
sleepers by their side. My sister, Mrs. Cheeseman, 
was soon laid beside our mother, borne there by 
four of her sons. 

On the Sabbath following her death I preached 
at Millville on the employments and enjoyments of 
heaven. On the 14th of October, I left for my 
home, called on my children at Berrien, Michigan, 
and reached home in safety. The following Sab- 
bath I attended church with my wife the first time 
in eighteen months. 

On the 22nd of October, I left for Maryville to 
attend an adjourned meeting of Platte Presbytery, 
and was called to preach the opening sermon on 
fifteen minutes notice. 

On Friday the 25th, I went down to Parkville, 
spent the night with Col. Park, and gave the next 
day to calling from house to house upon families. 



144 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



On Sabbath I preached morning and evening. My 
object was the re-establishing of the preaching of 
the gospel in Parkville. They had been more than 
two years without preaching. The visit resulted 
in their raising funds to repair the church and to 
secure preaching alternate Sabbaths. Early in 
November I returned to Parkville, to commence 
the preparatory meeting for the communion. A 
session was held on Saturday preceding and Mr. 
Stone and wife, and Mr. Davidson and wife were 
received by letters. I preached at night. On 
Sabbath morning, the church renewed their cove- 
nant, the Lord's Supper was served, and regular 
services were held. These meetings introduced a 
new order of things at Parkville. On November 
1 6th, I was called to Filmore to re-dedicate their 
church after substantial repairs, the erection of 
a tower, and the introduction of a bell. Also I 
drew up articles of incorporation of the Presby- 
terian church of Filmore. On Friday 22nd, I again 
went to Parkville, spent Saturday in calling. 
Preached that night, also on the Sabbath. At night 
the service was at Prairie Point, about five miles 
north of Parkville, Returning home I found my 
wife quite sick, and was shut in with her until Satur- 
day afternoon, when I left to fill an appointment 
at Gallatin, where I preached twice in the court 
house on the Sabbath. 



Work in Missouri 



H5 



Wednesday, December 4th, at a called meeting 
of Presbytery, I was called to preside in the exam- 
ination of Mr. Frank L. Phelps as to his qualifica- 
tions to preach the gospel. He was adjudged 
worthy and was duly licensed. He was of lovely 
spirit, and was invited to supply Oak Grove. While 
doing his work with that church he was taken 
with a fever by which he sank into the arms of 
death. 

December 6th, I was at Parkville, preached 
Saturday night and Sabbath morning, and at 3 P. 
M. at the house of Mr. and Mrs.Threlkeld, baptizing 
their children, George, Theodore, and Eva Rose 
May, and at the same place and time baptized the 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Kahm, Minerva, Walter and 
Frederick. Services continued until Tuesday night 
with good congregations. I returned to St. Joseph 
Wednesday, and made out my report to the Board 
of Home Missions. 

Friday, December 13th, I left for Martinsville, 
Harrison county, having a very cold ride; preached 
at night in their new meeting house, and dedicated 
it on Sabbath morning, preaching again at night, 
with three Methodist ministers to hear me, and a 
large audience. The meeting continued Monday, 
Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday we held 
a meeting at the house of James Scott, preparatory 
to organizing a Presbyterian Church. The sermon 



146 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



was from James 3: 1 5. "The church of the living 
God," after which a church of twelve members was 
organized. James Scott Jr., and Archibald Scott, 
having served as elders in Scotland were chosen 
to the eldership and duly installed, after which the 
Lord's supper was administered. 

On Thursday, December 19th, I returned from 
Martinsville and spent the following week with 
my family. 

On the 28th of December I went to Plattsburgh, 
Clinton county, on business for my brother, Willis 
M. Sherwood, made sale of $2000.00 worth of 
property and secured my son where he had en- 
dorsed bank notes for my brother Willis. Returned 
and spent the Sabbath with my family at West- 
minister church. 

Gave the first ten days of the year 1873 to 
a united prayer meeting for a revival of religion 
in St. Joseph. On the nth of January I went to 
Parkville. I preached at night on the want of 
willing workers in the harvest field of the w T orld, 
and on Sabbath morning to the young people; at 
night on Christ our Advocate. My wife was taken 
sick, spent most of the week caring for her. On 
Saturday went to Rosendale, Preached on Sab- 
bath twice. On the 25th of January went again to 
Parkville, preached at 3 P. M. We received two 
by letter, one on profession. After sermon Sabbath 



Work in Missouri 



147 



morning session met and examined one candidate 
for membership, and accepted two from the Bap- 
tist church, making six members received, after 
which the Lord's supper was served. The evening 
service was at Prairie Point. 

February 1st was spent at Oak Grove and Mis- 
sion Chapel in North St. Joseph, with another 
service on Monday night. The next Sabbath morn- 
ing at Parkville after a sermon on feeding the 
lambs, I organized a Sabbath School of fifty 
scholars. The following week and Sabbath was 
spent with my family in St. Joseph. 

Following my previous work at Parkville, I 
preached on Sabbath Schools in the morning, re- 
mained over Monday and preached at the German 
church near Parkville. My next visit to Parkville 
was an important one. I spent the night with the 
Hon. George S. Park, discussing at length the 
necessity of a training school to raise up our 
Christian workers. On March 13th visited Rev. 
Frank L. Phelps at Oak Grove, suffering from 
typhoid fever, prayed with him and parted with 
him until we meet on the other shore. On March 
14th went to Ebenezer church in Carroll county. 
Preached to them seven sermons, baptized the son 
of the elder of the church, administered to them 
the Lord's supper, and took measures to have them 
supplied with preaching. Left on Tuesday the 



148 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



1 8th of March, found on arriving at Carrollton 
that the trains were deranged. Reached Kansas 
City in time to get a train for Parkville to marry 
Daniel Diester to Mary N. Dawson at Mrs. Dr. 
Moore's. That night went on to St. Joseph. 

Saturday, March 22d, returned to Parkville, 
preached at night. Mr. John Long and Miss Eliza 
Ayers came before the session for membership. 
They were examined and received. After sermon 
on Sabbath morning Mr. Long was baptized. The 
candidates then were received to the church. On 
my return home I found a letter from Dr. Kendall, 
Secretary of the Board, commending my work as 
Presbyterial Missionary. Beginning with March 
25th, a week was spent at Hackberry Ridge in 
the new church house. On the concluding Sabbath, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Barr and Miss Katie Lanford were 
received into communion 01 the church, the latter 
being baptized. After which the Lord's supper 
was administered. 

On Tuesday April 1st, Presbytery met at Weston. 
My wife accompanied me. We were entertained 
by Mr. and Mrs. Maitland. My report on training 
school for Christian workers was backed by the lib- 
eral offer of Mr. George S. Park of his hotel property 
in Parkville, and land enough for a home for such a 
school. The report was accepted, the committee 
continued, with thanks to Mr. Park for his generous 



Work in Missouri 



149 



offer. I reported also as Presbyterial Missionary 
and as committee on Sabbath schools. On Sab- 
bath following I preached for Dr. Bullard at St. 
Joseph. 

After preaching two sermons at Parkville, married 
Mr. John Long to Miss Eliza Ayres on April 13th, 
1873. 

Passed my sixty-third birth-day with my family. 
On the 1 8th of April 1 received a telegram from Hop- 
kins, Mo., to visit that young town, just rising in- 
to importance as the connecting link between the 
Kansas City and St. Joseph R. R., and the Iowa 
branch from Creston. I went up that night, and 
had an interview with W. K. Adams and others. 
On Saturday visited families desirous of church 
privileges. On the Sabbath at 3 P. M. I preached 
in the Methodist church. Subject, Prophecy to the 
Bones, Ezek. 37:4. The next day, Monday, I spent 
in looking up the lost sheep who were seeking a 
Presbyterian fold. Twenty gave me their names. 
Went to Parkville Friday, and gave Saturday to 
calling on families. Preached at night; on Sabbath 
twice. Tuesday April 29th married Mr. Adolphus 
Musser to Mrs. Susan A. Ritchester at her father's 
house, Mr. Wilkinson. Returned home May 2nd. 
Left for Hopkins, and stopped with Mr. Dryden. 
Spent Saturday in calling. Found more seeking a 
Presbyterian fold. Preached on May 4th twice to 



150 -Fifty Vears on the Skirmish Line 

a full house. Received a telegram to return to 
St. Joseph and preached Mr. Frederick Marey's 
funeral sermon on the 6th of May. Spent the 
10th and nth of May at Parkville. Preached 
three times. Friday, May 20th, went to Hopkins. 
Spent the 21st calling. At 3 o'clock P. M. I 
preached from Ps. 20:5, Setting up our banner in 
the name of the Lord. Received fourteen letters. 
One came on profession of faith. Sunday, June 
1st, preached on 1st Timothy 3:15, the church 
of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth. 
The candidates then came forward as their names 
were called and entered into covenant with God 
and each other. They chose W. K. Adams and 
George Hotaling elders. They were then consti- 
tuted the Presbyterian church of Hopkins. I 
preached at night on the eldership and its obliga- 
tions from Acts 20:28, and ordained and installed 
the elders chosen. 

Saturday, June 7th, was spent at Parkville. 
Preached three times. The next week I attended a 
picnic of the Sabbath school. Made an address 
with other services. 

Friday June 13th. Having an invitation to visit 
Platte City as Presbyterial Missionary, I went there, 
visited their families, met their session and preached 
for them. 

They expressed a desire for a supply from Platte 



Work in Missouri 



Presbytery. We were not able to supply them at 
that time. June 25th. Heard of the death of Mrs. 
Frazier, one of the members of Parkville church. 
Visited family, made arrangements for the funeral 
at 4 o'clock P. M. on the Sabbath. Preached Sab- 
bath morning. Attended Mrs. Frazier's funeral at 
their home, expounded I Thess. 4; 13:18. Had 
letters from my old fields of ministerial labor, 
Liverpool and Pitcher, N. Y. 

Thursday June 26. Visited King City. They 
have a small church with a large open field all 
around them. Gave them five sermons. Visited 
from house to house. Administered the Sacraments 
of our church. Returning home I found a letter 
from the stated clerk of my old Presbytery where 
I began my ministry in 1837, savm g they would be 
glad to welcome me back to that Presbytery again. 
Two weeks later a second letter came requesting 
me to come back and undertake the work of an 
Evangelist for that Presbytery. 

Saturday July 5th. Went to Hopkins. Preached 
Sabbath morning and night. On Friday July 11th 
attended our July communion season, Parkville. My 
time was divided this year between Parkville and 
Hopkins, alternating between these churches. 
On Sabbath July 27th, I preached at Parkville on 
ruling elders. The church then chose Mr. Gano 
elder. He was ordained and installed. The same 



152 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Li?ie 



day I preached on the subject of infant baptism at 
the house of Mrs. Dr. Moore. At the close of sermon 
Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. Elizabeth Dawson pre- 
sented seven children for baptism: Daniel, Frazier, 
George, William, Valinda, Benjamin, John Moore, 
and Charles, which were baptized. August 3d, 
preached and administered Lord's supper at Hop- 
kins. 

August 17th, preached at Hopkins twice. Re- 
ceived Mrs. Iden to the church on profession of 
her faith. August 31. Was called to Dawn on 
committee to examine into the wishes of a Welsh 
church, who asked for membership with Platte 
Presbytery. Presbytery held its fall meeting at 
Cameron, during which the Rev. Joseph H. 
France was installed pastor of the Cameron church. 
Called to Hopkins by telegram to attend the funeral 
of Mrs. Bradley. Remained, attended to pastoral 
duties, until after the Sabbath. On 23d of Sep- 
tember married my daughter, Sarah Lucy, to Mr. 
Joseph R. Taylor, M. D. 

October 7th. Presbytery of Platte called to meet 
at North St. Joseph Mission Chapel, 7:30 P. M., to 
consider the question of organizing a Presbyterian 
church at the Chapel. A quorum not appearing, 
I was asked as Presbyterial Missionary to assume 
the responsibility of organizing a church. Twelve 
candidates presented themselves. Five presented 



Work in Missouri 



153 



letters of dismission, which were regular. Seven 
professed their faith in Christ. Three were bap- 
tized. The twelve gave their assent to the fun- 
damental doctrines of the Presbyterian Church and 
its polity, covenanting with Almighty God and with 
each other. They chose D. B. Elliott and J. A. 
Riggs elders. These brethren answered the con- 
stitutional questions. They were then set apart as 
elders and installed over North St. Joseph Presby- 
terian church. 

October 8th. The Presbytery of Platte met at 
Oak Grove church to ordain and install Licentiate 
Wm. H. Ilsley as pastor of that church. In the 
absence of the moderator it became my duty to pre- 
side, and examine the candidate, and to propound 
the constitutional questions, and make the ordin- 
ation prayer, and deliver the charge to the people. 
As commissioner of Platte Presbytery, I attended 
the Mission Chapel at North St. Joseph, preached a 
sermon, proposed the constitutional question and 
installed the Rev. William H. Ilsley as pastor of 
the North Presbyterian church of St. Joseph. 

Left for Parkville to commence a series of meet- 
ings on the 23d of October. Began with a day of 
fasting and prayer, and held twelve services. Re- 
ceived two by letters and two on profession of faith. 
Attended one funeral. Returning to Hopkins, I 
visited seventeen new families, assisted by Rev. 



*54 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



Randolph of Bradford, Iowa. Saturday we 
held children's meeting. Mr. Adams talked to 
children. Preached Saturday night, and again 
Sabbath night to a full house. The following week 
there were some conversions. Met a gentle- 
man who gave me $1.00 on hearing of my work. 
Thursday our national Thanksgiving, our family 
were together at our house. Was awakened this 
morning by a fire consuming the next door neigh- 
bor's house. Our Heavenly Fathersent a wi nd that 
carried the flame from us. 

Saturday, November 29th. Went to Osborn. 
Spent the day in calling. Preached at night. At- 
tended the Sabbath school in the morning, and 
preached at 10:30 and 7:30. 

Wednesday night preached at the chapel, North 
St. Joseph, also Thursday night. Saturday 20th, 
went to Maryville. Preached Sabbath morning. 
After sermon moderated a meeting of the church 
of Maryville to call a pastor. Preached at night. 

Thursday, December 25th. Reached Parkville 
in good time for Christmas exercises of the Sunday 
School. They pleased every one in attendance. 
These services did much to uplift the Presbyte- 
rian church to its former good standing. Remained 
over the Sabbath. Spent the last days of the year 
with my family. The year had been one of hard 
work. I had established two new churches, held 



Work in Missouri 



155 



special services in several churches, and visited 
numerous fields. 

The year 1874 was ushered in on a remarkably 
pleasant day, which I spent with my family. Re- 
viewed the past year and laid plans for the opening 
one. Saturday went down to Osborn where I ex- 
pected to preach alternate Sabbaths. Preached 
morning and evening. 

On Monday we held a prayer meeeting at Oak 
Grove, and Tuesday another prayer meeting at 11 
A. M. , preaching at night. One lady seemed deeply 
impressed. Spent most of the week there. Re- 
turned Friday after meeting. Hopkins having 
obtained a stated supply, divided my time, alter- 
nating between Osborn and Parkville. Preached 
and administered the Lord's supper at Park- 
ville. Went to Osborn on the 17th. Found deep 
interest in religion, and Christians united. In the 
evening seventeen came forward for prayers. A 
number professed hope in Christ. On Sabbath 
night twenty came forward for prayers. I spent 
Monday calling from house to house, until train 
time. After a day in Parkville, I went over to 
Cameron Mo., where I was met by Brother France 
who conducted me to the church where I found a 
good audience at the commencement of a 
series of meetings. The first sermon was from 
Malachi 3:1, The Lord whom ye seek shall 



156 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



suddenly come to His temple. The Lord 
came that night. Two arose for prayer, the 
next night three more. The Comforter filled me 
with joy that took away sleep. I sat up in bed 
and praised God. The next day in calling, I 
found the Holy Spirit had gone before us in the 
deep distress we found sinners in. We continued 
these special services for ten days and nights. The 
fruits were twenty-seven added on profession. 
Closing with reception of members and the Lord's 
supper, I left Cameron for Parkville. Rev. C. 
W. Higgins preached for me this morning. The 
Sunday School scholars acquitted themselves with 
honor at their anniversary exercises, leaving a good 
impression. February ioth. Received a letter 
from Trenton asking for my services in a series of 
meetings in the Hodge church at Trenton. Left 
for Trenton, stopping a day to preach at Cameron. 
Two came into the church making twenty-nine. 
Spent another day with Brother France, preaching 
at night. Three new cases of deep interest were 
presented. One lady decided for Christ. 

Left Cameron for Trenton. Preached at night. 
Spent one week at Trenton. There were but a 
few who entered into the work. One lady was 
converted and united with the church. Went down 
to Osborn on February 28th. Preached Sabbath 
morning and night. At the night services Mrs. 



Work in Missouri 



157 



Patrick and Cbas. Bouton came forward and asked 
for membership. They were accepted. 

Tuesday March 3d. Left for Lathrop to com- 
mence a series of meetings. Spent all the week 
in bringing about reconciliation between two lead- 
ing families. On Tuesday, I attended the funeral 
of George Threlkeld, at Parkville,one of the child- 
ren I baptized last year. 

Preached at Osborn on Friday and Saturday 
nights. Mr. Duncan McRae and wife, and Mrs. 
Boyd, asked for membership. 

After sermon Sabbath morning, Mrs. Patrick, 
Charles Bouton, Duncan McRae, Mrs. McRae, and 
Mrs. Boyd entered into covenant with the church, 
and were enrolled members of the Presbyterian 
church of Osborn. The Sacrament of the supper 
was then served. The Rev. J. M. Crawford 
preached Thursday and Friday nights for me at 
Parkville. Friday Mrs. Louisa Dunbar asked for 
membership, was examined and received by the 
session. On Sabbath after sermon Mrs. Dunbar 
was baptized, entering into covenant with the 
church. The Lord's table was spread and the 
supper was administered. 

Tuesday March 24th, was spent at Mirable. After 
a sermon I moderated a church meeting, at which 
a formal call was given to the Rev. George A. Mc- 
Kinlay to become their pastor. On Sabbath the 



158 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



29th, I preached and administered the Lord's 
supper. Made ready for the spring meeting of 
Presbytery at St. Joseph. Prepared my report for 
Presbytery of work done as Presbyterial Mission- 
ary. Mr. George A. McKinlay asked for ordination, 
which request was granted. The Presbytery asked 
the Board of Home Missions to continue my com- 
mission as their missionary. I was made chairman 
of a commission to install the Rev. Luther Dodd 
pastor of Rockport church, and to organize a 
church at Tarkio in Atchison county; also to 
install Rev. George A. McKinlay over Mirabile 
church ; and to organize a new church in his broad 
field, if the way opened. 

Saturday April 12th. Had an interview with 
Miss Ella L. Park respecting her duty to confess 
Christ before the world. Preached on Sabbath 
morning and night. After sermon Mr. Lewis Dun- 
bar and Miss Ella L. Park came forward as candi- 
dates for membership. They were examined and 
received by the session. Mr. Dunbar was baptized. 
They entered into covenant with the church and 
their names were enrolled. 

Spent my sixty-fourth birthday at home with my 
wife. 

Friday, I went to Parkville. Gave Saturday 
to pastoral work, and preached on Sabbath, 
Monday, had a long talk with Mr. Park on training 



Work in Missouri 



159 



school for young people of the Missouri valley. 

The General Assembly met in St. Louis this year 
immediately after the State Sunday School con- 
vention. I attended both meetings for a few days, 
renewing acquaintance with old friends and hear- 
ing some of our strong men. While there I had a 
very satisiactory interview with Dr. Henry Ken- 
dall, of our Home Mission Board. 

During the next week, beginning May 25th, 
with the Rev. J. H. France, I visited Mirabile to 
install the Rev. Geo. A. McKinlay. It fell to me 
to preach, propound the constitutional questions 
and deliver the charge to the pastor. Mr. France 
delivered the charge to the people. We went home 
with Brother Lanford, and had a meeting at his 
house. 

Next morning we went to Pleasant Ridge to organ- 
ize a new church. Rev. France preached a sermon. 
Ten candidates came forward and asked to be organ- 
zed into a Presbyterian church. Nine had letters of 
dismission, one young lady came on profession. The 
letters were in order. The ten covenanted with 
Almighty God and with each other. They chose 
two of their number as elders who, answering the 
constitutional questions, were then set apart to the 
eldership by prayer and the laying on of hands. 
They took the name, The Presbyterian Church of 
Pleasant Ridge. I spent an agreeable night, and 



i6o 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



left May 26th for Cameron. Princeton, the county 
seat of Mercer county, called me, and I spent a 
day canvassing the town. Of its population of 
1,000, two hundred were professing Christians of 
different denominations. I preached in the Metho- 
dist church to a good audience; remained one Sab- 
bath and preached Monday night. Left Princeton 
Tuesday for Mill Grove, west some ten miles. 
Visited there twenty-nine families. Preached at 
night to a full school house, and did what I could 
while with them. Left June 3d for home after one 
month's absence. 

The next Sabbath was my regular day at Os- 
borne and the usual two sermons were preached. 
While at Parkville on the following Sabbath, I 
learned of the death of Mrs. Young, whom I had 
received into the church. Mrs Sweet died during 
my stay there, and I preached her funeral sermon. 

Thursday, June 1 8th, the commission met 
to install Rev. Luther Dodd over the church of 
Rockport. Rev. McClung preached the sermon. 
I presided and proposed the constitutional questions 
and charged the pastor. . Rev. Thomas charged the 
people. Friday June 19th left Rockport for the 
Valley of the Tarkio to organize a Presbyterian 
church. Saturday afternoon after a sermon from 
John 1 5: 5, eight members appeared with letters of 
dismission, all of which were in order, and accepted 



Work in Missouri 



161 



by the committee. They then entered into cove- 
nant with the Great Head of the church and one 
another, by which they constituted themselves 
the church of Tarkio. They chose Mr. Marquis 
elder, who answered the constitutional questions. 
He was then set apart to the office of ruling elder by 
prayer and laying on of hands. I remained in the 
Valley of the Tarkio till after Sabbath June 21st, 
preaching to a full school house. A Sabbath 
School was organized and put into working order. 
Upon my return to St. Joseph I found my grand- 
daughter sick, who died Friday, aged eight 
months and fifteen days. 

The month of July was given to Osborne and 
Parkville, communion service being held in each 
church. Two members were received by letter 
at Osborne. Three children were baptized at 
Parkville. 

Early in August while riding a mule, near Park- 
ville I was thrown, but was preserved in safety by 
the care of my Heavenly Father. On one of the 
days of this season the mercury stood at 106 in the 
shade. 

On Thursday August 13th left with the Rev. 
J. W. Allen, D. D. for Hopkins to explore the 
northern tier of counties of Platte Presbytery: to- 
wit, Worth, Harrison, and Mercer. At Grant 
City began the exploration and we found some 



l62 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



families anxious for the introduction of a Presby- 
terian church. No one among them seemed fitted 
to lead such an enterprise. We remained and 
looked over the county. We found a Cumberland 
Presbyterian church, six miles out a Methodist, and 
a Baptist in Grant City. Dr. Allen preached for the 
Cumberlands and I occupied the Methodist pulpit 
on Sabbath. Dr. Allen preached at the Methodist 
church at night. Monday, we left Grant City for 
Union Grove, the home of Rev. Duncan McRuer. 
Mr. McRuer then proposed that we should go to 
Denver, Worth county, and there confer together. 
We did so, and spent the day there. August 18th. 
Drove to Martinsville, Harrison county. Elder 
Wren made arrangements for preaching that even- 
ing, after which, the session of the church met to 
talk up our object in visiting them. Dr. Allen 
preached at night. The next morning Elder Scott 
drove us to Bethany. We had a warm reception 
from Banker Crossan. Held a good meeting at the 
Methodist church. We spent the next day in 
a survey of Bethany and vicinity. Dr. Allen 
preached at night. There was nothing developed 
that seemed to demand a church at Bethany just 
then. Dr. Allen left for Eagleville, Akron, thence 
to St. Louis. I remained to spend Sabbath at 
Bethany. Preached on the sacraments of our 
church in the morning, and at night on the mission 



Work in Missouri 163 



of Christ. Left Monday for Eagleville; found 
only one Presbyterian family there, but preached at 
night. Left for Goshen, Mercer county. Preached 
to impromptu congregation. Next day left for 
Princeton, county seat of Mercer county. Made ar- 
rangements for Sabbath service, and went on to 
Ravenna ten miles east. Found encouragement 
there for a church in and around that town. 

After a visit to Lineville, a town on the boun- 
dary between Missouri and Iowa, where a church 
had just been organized, I returned to Princeton 
for Sabbath. The request was made that Presby- 
tery make this one of our preaching points. 

Monday, left for Spankersville where I spent the 
day in visiting a godless community. Preached at 
night to them on the need of the gospel to save the 
soul, correct their morals, and improve their per- 
sonal appearance. Left Spankersville for Trenton 
where Presbytery was to meet on the first Tuesday 
of September, at 7: 30. Presbytery met at the time 
appointed. In absence of the moderator, I was 
called to the chair called Presbytery to order. 
Rev. J. Gillespie preached the opening sermon, 
after which he was chosen moderator, and E. B. 
Sherwood clerk. Wednesday made reports on the 
installation of Rev. George A. McKinlay over Mir- 
abile and Lincoln churches, and Rev. Luther Dodd 
over Rockport church, and the organization of the 



164 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



churches of Pleasant Ridge and Tarkio. Took part 
in the examination of Mr. H. G. Pollock for ordi- 
nation to the gospel ministry; and gave him his 
charge. Also made report of the visit to the 
counties of Worth, Harrison and Mercer, of Dr. J. 
W. Allen and myself. 

Friday September 4th. Left Trenton. Met 
Rev. J. H. France at Cameron, and spent the 
night with him before going to Osborn. September 
6th preached twice at Osborn. Reached home Mon- 
day to find an accumulation work during of four 
weeks absence to attend to. Tuesday, September 
10th, married at my residence Mr. William H. 
Boyer to Miss Maggie Myer, all of Marion town- 
ship, Buchanan county, Mo. Attended the funeral 
of Anna Brockman of Sabbath School, at 1 1 A. M. 
Dropped into the Methodist conference (South). 
Witnessed, with interest, their manner of re- 
ceiving candidates for the ministry. Heard them 
pass on the character of their ministers. Listened 
to a good sermon from their Bishop. Attended 
their conference Friday and Saturday. Sabbath, 
9 o'clock, attended their love feast. Heard their 
Bishop again. After sermon he ordained eleven 
deacons. In the afternoon their colored Bishop 
preached a powerful sermon, and gave a statement 
of his work. Bishop Marvin preached at night and 
ordained nine elders. September 22nd. Left for 



Work ?'n Missouri 



165 



Mirabile. Spent the week preaching two sermons a 
day until Saturday. Parkville had claims upon me 
for Sabbath morning and night. Thursday, Octo- 
ber 1st. Went to Osborn. Spent the time until 
Saturday calling in the country. Found eight 
persons who had been members of Presbyterian 
churches. Three of these wished to become mem- 
bers at Osborn. Saturday held preparatory meet- 
ing. Heard good news of the Mirabile work. Sab- 
bath preached and administered the sacrament. 
Friday, October 7th, served at Parkville. On 8th 
at Mrs. Moore's. On Saturday, lecture at 2 P. M. 
Held a meeting at Mr. Frazier's at night. Sunday 
preached and administered the sacrament. Left 
for Kirksville to attend the meeting of Synod. 
Reached there in time to attend the Sabbath 
School institute. Found at Kirksville an old Pitcher 
acquaintance, Mr. John Smith Blackman. I was 
appointed chairman of the judicial committee, 
also to open the discussion on home missions. Fri- 
day night stopped with Brother Blackman. 

Tuesday, October 20th. Left Kirksville for 
Princeton. Stopped at Lineville a day and night 
for a rest. Reached Princeton and preached at 
night. Left next day for Bethany; found an ap- 
pointment out for me. Preached from Ex. 12:20. 
Death in every house. Visited young Hamilton 
in jail who was to be hung the following Friday. 



1 66 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



Remained over the Sabbath. Preached morning 
and evening. Left Bethany for King City and 
neighboring churches. Held service at Union 
church, King City. Went to DeKalb county for 
the purpose of exploring the northern portion. 
Found a number of Presbyterian families. They 
were too far apart to associate in our church. 
Three persons united with the Osborn church at 
my next meeting there. After my next visit to 
Parkville, I went on to Kansas City and met Dr. 
Hill, who asked me to go to Armstrong, one mile in 
Kansas from the state line, and see if I could gather 
a church. With Rev. D. C. Milner I went, and 
left an appointment for further preaching. The 
visit included Wyandotte and Kansas City, Kansas, 
where appointments were left. At home I found 
a request for me to go to Oregon and help in a 
meeting I went and spent three days with Brother 
McClung, preaching twice a day. 

About the middle of December, Dr. Hill again 
earnestly urged me to make a moral survey of 
Armstrong and Wyandotte, both in Kansas near 
Kansas City. I did so, and found encouragement 
to preach in both places on the third Sabbath of 
the month. December 22nd I was called to Park- 
ville to solemnize the marriage of the Rev. C. W. 
Higgins and Miss Mary Frazier. Christmas day 
was spent at my own home in St. Joseph, and the 



Work in M issouri 



167 



last days of the year were given to Oak Grove. 

In a review of the year, I find great reason for 
gratitude to my heavenly Father for the health and 
strength He has vouchsafed to me that I might do 
the year's work. I give thanks to my Savior for 
His presence, and to the Holy Ghost for the great 
peace that He has shed abroad in my heart and 
the comfort He has given me in my work. The 
year, from its opening to its close, has been rich in 
spiritual blessings, in the conversion of souls and 
in additions to the churches I have served and to 
those in which I have aided my brethren. The 
churches I have organized have been richly blessed. 
Opportunities for doing good have been frequent. 

1875. Most of New Year's day was spent with 
my family. In the afternoon, however, I left for 
Osborn to hold communion the following Sabbath. 
Until June, I continued to supply Osborn and Arm- 
strong, Kansas, on alternate Sabbaths. The work 
at the latter place was largely preparatory to church 
organization. 

During the first week in February, the Rev. A. 
B, Earle, a Baptist evangelist, held a series of 
meetings at St. Joseph, which was crowned with 
rich and precious results. He reached our leading 
business men. He had peculiar power with that 
class of men, because the Holy Ghost rested upon 
him and abode with him. He did me great good. 



i68 



Fifty Years o?t the Skirmish Line 



Near the middle of March, the Rev T. E. Shel- 
don sent me an urgent invitation to come to his 
help in a series of meetings at Marysville, Kansas. 
1 accepted it and preached my first sermon there 
from Acts 10:29, "I ask therefore for what intent 
ye have sent for me." On my second Sabbath there, 
ten persons were received at the morning service. 
Sabbath evening four new cases came out under 
the sermon. Monday evening one of the merchants 
was so wrought upon that he did not leave his seat 
when the congregation went out ; before he left the 
church, he gave his heart to Christ. Several 
others were brought to conviction and conversion 
during the meetings, and the influence was lasting. 

March 26th, 27th and 29th were spent in Park- 
ville in interviews concerning the opening there of 
a school for training Christian workers. Mr. Park 
and Professor McAfee were both there at that time. 

The Armstrong work had so prospered that it 
seemed wise to organize a church there March 28th. 
Dr. Hill came from Kansas City. It was Easter 
Sabbath, and he preached an appropriate sermon 
in the morning, while I preached in the evening. 
At 3 p. m. we met and organized the church with 
nine members. W. W. Spear was chosen elder 
and ordained and installed, Before I left the 
church in June there were several additions and 
another elder, Brother Robinson, was installed. 



Work in Missouri 



169 



May 2nd I attended the Westminister church, 
St. Joseph, and baptized my grandson, Charles 
Sherwood Taylor, and the oldest son of Dr. Bul- 
lard, Henry Nelson Bullard. I gave what spare 
time I had during these months to the mission 
chapel. 

Meanwhile I had been asked to undertake an 
agency in the East for the new college at Parkville. 
A visit had already been made there during which 
I had been pleased with the manner and spirit of 
the devotional service. On the 8th of June I left 
for the East and spent until the end of September 
canvassing in the state of New York in behalf of 
the college. 

I had been made trustee of my father's estate 
and while I was in the East in October I went to 
Rochester, N. Y. , and began arrangements looking 
toward the winding up of his affairs. This involved 
delay and the Lord opened a door of usefulness. 
I was invited to visit Penfield, six miles from 
Rochester, and see what could be done toward 
bringing back life to a church which had been in 
a state of suspended animation for six years and 
without a revival for eighteen years. Animation 
was restored in four weeks' labor, with preaching 
and visiting. The session and board of trustees 
were filled by election. The sacraments were 
administered to twenty-five members. 



170 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



Upon my return to St. Joseph in November I 
had hardly got well settled when a request came 
for help in meetings at Frankfort, Kansas. I found 
there a half-finished meeting-house, which could 
not be made comfortable during the cold weather 
which came on. The meetings continued eleven 
days and the church was revived. Six members 
were received. At Osborn soon after I found the 
Methodists engaged in revival effort, and took part 
with them. The results were excellent. 

In response to an appointment by the Presbytery, 
I went to Trenton to assist in dedicating their new 
church and installing their pastor. Saturday night 
the new church took fire and was completely de- 
stroyed! The other denominations of the city 
threw open their pulpits the next day to the com- 
mission and $950 were raised at the morning services 
for a new building. A union meeting was held in 
the opera house in the evening and $600 more 
raised, making $1550 in all. I spent three days 
more with the church. Rev. J. M. Crawford was 
the new pastor. 

The closing days of the year were spent in look- 
ing back over its record. It was one of the hap- 
piest in my life. The desire of my heart had been 
realized. We had seen the humble beginning of 
Park College for Training Christian Workers. 

1876. Early in January I accepted an invitation 



Work in Missouri 



171 



from the church at Marysville, Kansas, to come to 
them and stay as long as possible. I remained 
three months, entered upon a systematic course of 
ministerial work, preaching, visiting and holding 
prayer-meetings, and besides looked after an out- 
post at North Marysville, where steps had already 
been taken toward a church organization, I per- 
fected that work and laid foundations for still 
another church, at Deer Creek, six miles west. 
The word of God took effect, and gave the people 
a mind to work. Congregations increased. Con- 
verts came into the church. We had a profitable 
three months. I left after the last Sabbath in 
March to meet an engagement to spend a year in 
Kalamazoo, Michigan, gathering a congregation in 
the north part of that city. There was one item 
of the business of my father's estate that demanded 
my presence in New York early in April. After 
attending to it, I returned to Kalamazoo and 
entered on the work I was called there to do. The 
details and results are found in Chapter V. 

I closed my year's work in Kalamazoo on the 
8th of April, 1877, and at once went with my wife 
to my daughter's home at Berrien Springs, Michi- 
gan. On reaching there we learned of the serious 
illness of Judge Anderson, my daughter's father- 
in-law. We were sent for to hasten to his bed- 
side, but before we reached it he was gone. At 



172 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



his request, I preached the funeral sermon. It was 
my 67th birthday. I had known the judge and his 
wife since 1828. 

From this time until July 5th, my time was 
divided between the settlement of the estate and 
collecting funds for Park College in western New 
York where I was acquainted. After an absence 
of a year and three months I finally reached St. 
Joseph with my wife on the 20th of July. I met 
Professor McAfee and reported what I had done, 
turning over to him the money I had collected. 
We conferred about future plans. 

The Synod of Missouri met that year in October 
at St. Charles. I was in attendance and was very 
unexpectedly chosen moderator by acclamation. 
I met the responsibilities of the position as best I 
could. The remainder of the year was devoted to 
work connected with Park College. 

1878. January 1st I spent with my family and 
newly consecrated myself to the work of the min- 
istry. Calls came from every side. I went first to 
the Third church of Kansas City and assisted the 
pastor for a week in a series of meetings. Then 
came such a request from the Chillicothe pastor 
that I went to his aid for about two weeks. Eight 
confessed Christ at the closing meeting. There 
was a precious refreshing from on high. On the 
26th I went to Hiawatha, Kansas, to assist Rev. 



Work in Missouri 



173 



Mr. Farmer in a series of meetings. Deep interest 
was awakened. Twenty arose for prayers. We 
reached an interesting class of young men who 
became pillars in that church. On the 6th of 
February I was compelled to leave to meet an en- 
gagement for other work. I had been asked to 
Kennekuk, an Indian town eight miles south of 
Hiawatha. The church was supplied by Rev. Mr. 
Todd. My first sermon seemed to be sanctified to 
the congregation. Under the third sermon a young 
lady gave herself to Christ. Every sermon seemed 
to deepen the work of grace begun. Heads of 
families were reached; husbands of believing wives 
and wives of believing husbands came out and took 
upon them the covenant of the church. The 
windows of heaven were opened; the Holy Spirit 
was poured out on all classes. The revival be- 
came general. Family altars were set up and con- 
secrated by morning and evening prayer. The 
church was strengthened by the addition of whole 
families. When they laid out the Rock Island R. 
R. , they ran it through the farms of the leading 
members of that church, and the town of Horton 
covers almost the entire farm of one of the members 
with whom I stopped often during the three weeks 
I spent here. The church of Horton is the old 
church of Kennekuk. This meeting laid the 
foundation for lasting good to all that region. 



174 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



About the ist of March, I received a letter from 
Rev. Dr. J. W. Allen, Synodical missionary, 
requesting me to go to Glenwood, Schuyler county, 
in the northeastern part of the state, and there work 
up and organize a Presbyterian church, if the way 
was clear. Accordingly I spent sixteen days of 
hard work there, and on March 31st organized a 
church of twelve members, ordaining two elders, 
and administering the Lord's supper. The evening 
of the first Sabbath two more united with the new 
church. My friend Dr. Galbraith met me on my 
arrival and cared for me pleasantly during my stay. 
Immediately I left for Kirksville where I had an 
appointment to preach on the importance of raising 
up a ministry from our churches. I reached home 
April 3d. 

The spring meeting of Platte Presbytery was 
held at Mound City. As committee on the narrative 
I reported on the state of religion in our bounds. 
I was also appointed to organize a church at Mt. 
Salem school-house in Atchison county, which 
duty I performed on Sabbath the 14th before 
turning home. The church took the name Pizgah. 
I left for home on my 68th birthday. 

I had now reached a point where I thought it 
my duty to lay off for some repairs. An experi- 
enced dentist advised me to have several native 
teeth removed and get a full set of upper teeth. 



Work in Missouri 



175 



This would forbid my public speaking for several 
weeks. Duty demanded it and I rested off during 
the remainder of April and all of May and June. 
During these months, I was with my son in his 
drug-store. In looking over his stock, I discovered 
there had accumulated a good many articles not 
wanted in St. Joseph but saleable in some other 
place. This, with some other motives, led my son 
to look for a new point. He found one at Sabetha, 
Kansas, and opened his new store there late in 
August, 1878. The St. Joseph store was left with 
his clerk whom he had been training for five years, 
the finances being under my oversight and control. 
My son reached Sabetha at the right time. Two 
years later we sold the St. Joseph stock and rented 
the store to the former clerk, Mr. James T. Mead- 
ows, who has become one of the leading druggists 
of this growing city. In addition to the drug 
business, my son had developed Sherwood's Ex- 
celsior Liquid Blueing, which he had been making 
for some ten years. It had grown to so much im- 
portance that it was becoming a good thing, too 
good to give up. This business he passed over to 
me. I have cared for it and superintended it until 
it has become the standard liquid blueing wherever 
St. Joseph wholesale grocery trade goes. This 
and the rent of the store have been my support 
since August 1878. I have held myself ready to 



1 7 6 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



supply destitute churches, organize new churches, 
assist my brethren in special meetings where open- 
ings have occurred and duty called, and to do any 
duty that was in the line of my profession as a 
minister of Christ. For a number of years I was 
stated clerk and treasurer of my Presbytery. 

In September of this year (1878) I received a 
letter from the church of Hiawatha, Kansas, asking 
me to visit them and supply them as long as there 
was mutual satisfaction. After preaching there 
one Sabbath an agreement was entered into and I 
supplied them twenty-eight weeks. My plan was 
to go on Saturday, preach on Sabbath and teach a 
Sabbath School class. At communion times I went 
over on Friday and visited and held preparatory 
service on Saturday. God blessed this arrangement. 
Eighteen members were added to the church, sev- 
eral being newly converted. Confidence was in- 
spired. They soon called a pastor. From that 
time they have gone right forward, enlarged their 
meeting house, lengthened their cords and strength- 
ened their stakes. Hiawatha now has a member- 
ship of 250. The weeks spent there were happy 
ones to me and began a new epoch in the church's 
history. 

At the meeting of Platte Presbytery in April 
1879, I was chosen moderator at the opening. 
During the meeting I was appointed alternate 



Work in Missouri 



177 



commissioner to the General Assembly, and Stated 
Clerk and Treasurer of the Presbytery. These 
offices, with the presidency of the Board of Trustees 
of Park College, and an occasional call to organize 
churches, gave me all I could well attend to of a 
public nature. Add the private business and the 
care of my family, and the year 1879 was filled 
with hard work. 

November 20th, 1880, I organized the Presby- 
terian church of Goshen, Mercer county, Mo. 

1 88 1. On the 29th of January I assisted in the 
dedication of the new Presbyterian church at La- 
clede, Mo. I preached twice and raised $223 from 
the congregation so that we dedicated the building 
free from debt. March 16th, I received a telegram 
asking me to go to Ravennah, Mercer county, and 
organize a Presbyterian church. This town is in 
the extreme north-eastern part of Platte Presby- 
tery. It meant a journey of 130 miles, ten of 
which I traveled on horseback in a snow-storm. 
Saturday night I preached to quite a good audience 
and arranged for the organization. The next day, 
Sabbath, a church of thirteen members was organ- 
ized, one of whom was received by profession and 
baptism. Two elders were ordained and installed 
and the sacrament was administered. In the 
evening after the sermon, the mother who had been 
baptized in the morning brought her daughter for 
baptism. 



1 7 8 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



On the 14th of April Platte Presbytery met in 
St. Joseph at Dr." Bullard's church. I reported the 
three new churches organized. On my 71st birth- 
day I was chosen commissioner to the General 
Assembly at Buffalo, N. Y. , with elder Robert 
Montgomery as lay commissioner. We started for 
Buffalo, accompanied by our wives, May 16th, and 
reached there with many others on the 18th. The 
Assembly met on Thursday May 19. On the 
election of moderator, I was privileged to second 
the nomination of Dr. Henry Darling, a life long 
friend. The short speech brought me many hand- 
some compliments. For the second time I was 
made a member of the judicial committee. On 
Saturday the Assembly was given an excursion to 
Niagara Falls. The next week Dr. and Mrs. 
Chester gave us a reception at their elegant resi- 
dence. Mrs. Chester was an old friend of our 
family and we had a pleasant half hour together. 
I had an apportunity to speak in the devotional 
meeting of Saturday morning and also reported on 
the records of the Synod of Kentucky. I was 
appointed to preach at Millville, my old home, 
forty miles from Buffalo on Sabbath the 29th. My 
brother Guy came up from Millville to escort me 
home. I preached from John 12:23, "What is to be 
the result of lifting up Christ on the cross?" I did 
not return to the Assembly, which adjourned the 



Work in Missouri 



179 



following day. Instead I met a large circle of old 
friends at my brother-in-law's home, where my 
wife was visiting. It was her last visit with them. 
Tuesday with brother Guy and his wife we went 
to Rochester and spent a day with my sister, Mary 
Hatch. Thence we came west to Michigan where 
a visit was made to our children at Berrien Springs. 
This is not far from Cassopolis and Edwardsburgh. 
I spent one Sabbath with these churches, preach- 
ing before a large union congregation at the latter 
place in the evening and at the former place in the 
morning. It was a cordial greeting of all the 
churches after an absence of twenty-two years. 

I had scarcely reached home in St. Joseph before 
a call came for, a visit to Wheeling. I spent a 
Sabbath with them. On the 9th of October, I 
organized the church of Grant City, Worth county, 
and set over them an efficient session. They have 
had a steady growth and are one of our better 
churches. December 2nd I accepted an invitation 
to hold a series of meetings at Akron, Harrison 
county. The meetings lasted ten days. The 
fruits were eleven added to the church, with seven 
baptisms. Three others expressed hope and were 
received at a chance visit I made some time after- 
ward. 

On March 19th, 1882, in company with elder 
Robert Montgomery, I organized the church of 



i8o 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



Fairfax, Mo., with twelve members. Two elders 
were duly chosen and set apart. July 1st, I was 
called to a conference with the Platte City church 
and spent a Sabbath there. August nth, I left 
for Blysdale, Harrison county, to dedicate a new 
church, but found on my arrival that it was not 
ready. During the delay I went to Akron and 
spent a week, preaching every night. Six were 
received into membership and the Lord's supper 
was administered. At Blysdale the next Sabbath 
I met Rev. Thomas Marshall, then Synodical mis- 
sionary, who preached in the morning. I under- 
took the work of raising the arrears and we dedi- 
cated the building free from debt. Children were 
baptized by Mr. Marshall, and the Lord's supper 
was administered. 

Saturday, August 26th, a telegram came from 
the pastor at Atchison, Kansas, asking me to sup- 
ply his pulpit the next day. I did so and again 
the following Sabbath. In September a week was 
spent at Avalon in a series of meetings. The 
Lord gave us eight converts. The pastor and 
three of his session were permitted to welcome 
their children at the communion service held at 
the close of the meeting. Soon after my return to 
St. Joseph, I left for Union Star to organize a 
church if the way was clear. After the evening 
sermon sixteen candidates came, asking the organ- 



Work in Missouri 



181 



ization of a Presbyterian church. Their credentials 
were found in order, and they entered into cove- 
nant with Almighty God and each other. They 
chose Judge Dougherty elder and the following 
Sabbath, October ist, he was ordained and in- 
stalled. Meantime I had been calling from house 
to house, and one lady came to unite with the 
new church on confession on this first Sabbath. 
Several received the sacrament for the first time. 
During the same month, October, I organized the 
church at Brooklyn, Carroll county, which has 
since been merged into the Tina church in the 
same county. 

About the first of October my wife began to 
suffer from inflammation of the stomach. The 
usual treatment in such cases failing, a galvanic 
battery was ordered and purchased while I was in 
St. Louis at the Synod. When I returned she 
had reached the stage in which no nourishment 
except new milk coud be taken with any comfort. 
The battery treatment seemed to impart vitality, 
but she gained no permanent strength. The func- 
tions of life were steadily failing. There was noth- 
ing alarming in her case and nothing encouraging. 
Nothing we could do imparted strength or recuper- 
ated nature. Our daughter came from Michigan 
and spent two weeks with her, which greatly com- 
forted her. She stood the parting scene much 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



better than I had expected. In the latter part of 
November symptoms of unhappy changes in her 
system appeared. November 26th was her last 
Sabbath on earth and she was cheerful, enjoyed 
reading and conversed throughout the day. Dur- 
ing the night of December 1st, she awoke with 
excruciating pains, which proved to be the premo- 
nition of death. She was very restless and while 
we were trying to give her an easier position she 
fainted and it was some time before consciousness 
returned. All that day she was in the agonies of 
death. She said to me, "My husband, what is 
this?" I answered her, "It is approaching death. 
These are dying agonies and you will spend the 
coming Sabbath with your father, mother, your 
dear sister Margaret and our dear children in the 
spirit world." She then asked us to sing and 
while we were singing, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," 
she sank into a quiet state in which she remained 
and sweetly passed away before the midnight hour, 
December 2nd, 1882, aged 72 years and three 
months. On Monday December 4th, her funeral 
was attended by her pastor, Rev. Dr. Henry Bul- 
lard, assisted by Rev. Dr. R. S. Campbell and 
Rev. George Miller. There was a large gathering 
of friends. We laid her to rest in Mt. Mora cem- 
etery in a lot which I had purchased. Upon her 
monument are inscribed the names of our 



Work in Missouri 



i8 3 



six children besides those of their parents. 

The following Sabbath I spent in Parkville, 
preaching to a large and interesting audience. 
Upon my return I found an invitation from Tarkio 
which I accepted, preaching to them on the last 
Sabbath of the year. They supplemented their 
request with another, viz., that I would supply 
them on alternate Sabbaths until spring. West- 
boro, six miles north of Tarkio, whose organization 
was not complete, asked for the other alternate 
Sabbaths of my time, and I accepted both invita- 
tions. I perfected the latter organization and 
gathered in the families through that region. I had 
organized the Tarkio church some years before in 
the valley of the Tarkio. When the Burlington 
R. R. system run one of its branches through 
Atchison county, Tarkio sprang up as a business 
point and the church was removed there, built a 
house, but had no minister at that time. I re- 
mained with them throughout March. Twelve 
members were added as the fruits of these three 
months. They soon called a pastor and have 
gone forward with steady growth. Another matter 
of great importance was the stirring up of the 
United Presbyterians to start a college in a build- 
ing then unoccupied in the village. 

On the 1st of July this year, occurred the semi- 
centennial of Oberlin College from whose the- 



184 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

ological department I had graduated in September, 
1836. I felt it a privilege and duty to be present 
at the celebration. I reached Oberlin June 30th, 
in time for the graduation of the theological class. 
After dinner I attended the alumni meeting of that 
department. The next day was Sabbath and was 
full of interest. The history of the Sabbath school 
for the past fifty years was given in the morning, 
followed by the baccalaureate sermon giving the 
history of the college. At 2 p.m. was an experi- 
ence meeting and at 3 communion service with 
fully 200 communicants. At night Rev. Dr. 
Streiby of New York addressed a missionary meet- 
ing. On Monday those present of the class of 1836 
met. There were but four. The same number 
were present from the class of 1838. They came 
in with us and we were joined by the widow of 
President Finney, his third wife, and also by the 
widow of our classmate Rev. S. W. Streeter. It 
was a review meeting of our life work. On Inde- 
pendence Day, July 4th, Rev. Huntington Lyman, 
of our class, and myself visited the cemetery where 
sleep President Finney, Professor Henry Cowles, 
Professor John Morgan and many of the founders 
of Oberlin College. On the afternoon of the same 
day our class held a closing meeting. We joined 
hands in a circle, sang our parting hymn and took 
our final leave of each other until we meet to part 
no more. 



Work in Missouri 



i»5 



Towards the close of the year there sprung up a 
correspondence which led to my marriage to Mrs. 
Susan Butler on the 24th of July, 1884. 

During the winter months I was shut in. In 
March I was invited to Hopkins, one of the 
churches I had organized, being now without a 
pastor. I spent two weeks with them. The mem- 
bers were quickened and one very interesting con- 
version was made. At the preparatory meeting, 
before communion, there was a providential meet- 
ing of the original elders of the Hopkins church. 
They remained over the Sabbath and assisted at 
the Lord's table. One brought his son forward for 
baptism. It was a spiritual feast. 

Early in the spring I made quite a successful 
change in our store property, built over a cottage 
on the premises and fitted it up for a home for my- 
self. I had remained with my daughter, Mrs. J. 
R. Taylor, since the death of my wife. 

A casual letter from Mrs. Susan Butler, written 
while my first wife was alive and well, three years 
before her death, was by chance re-read some 
twelve months after her death. It contained some 
sentiments of gratitude for instruction I had given 
the writer when an inquirer after the way of rest 
for her soul, which I thought demanded of me an 
answer even after the intervention of four years. 
This led to a reply asking me for an article for 



i 86 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

their village paper giving an account of the revival 
which had brought into their church seventy mem- 
bers. I sent her the article. It was published in 
their village paper and afterwards in the New York 
Evangelist. In this way an acquaintance of forty 
years ago was renewed. We had once met in 
those years, had shaken hands and had been 
twenty minutes in company in a circle of friends. 
Our correspondence led to an engagement of mar- 
riage and to seven years of as much happiness as 
could be realized in that time. When we came to 
know each other better, we found that we were 
born within six miles of each other, that there was 
but six days' difference in our ages and that we 
were baptized by the same minister. When we 
met on the 22nd of July in the parlor of Alfred 
Emerson, we realized that an unseen hand had 
guided our pens in the correspondence that brought 
us together. Therefore we sealed with words what 
our pens had effected. She was my spiritual child 
in a revival of 1841 in Youngstown, N. Y., referred 
to in Chapter III. She was then the wife of Mr. 
Robinson Butler, who was also a subject of that 
work of grace. Mr. Butler adorned his profession 
for over seventeen years, and died exclaiming, 
"Grace! grace!" Mrs. Butler lived a widow 
twenty-five years, finding consolation in comfort- 
ing the sick and administering the balm of Gilead 



Work in Missouri 



i8 7 



to the afflicted. She gathered one class after 
another to the Sabbath School, and when the 
second class of young ladies went out from her as 
teachers and married ladies, she went to the 
country and gathered a class of married ladies and 
their husbands, numbering eight. She was teacher 
of this class when I married her. Her old phy- 
sician paid her this compliment: "Mr. Sherwood, 
you might about as well take away the session of 
our church as the lady you have married." In 
due time we returned to Missouri and took pos- 
session of our cottage home and entered upon 
housekeeping. It was the return of happy, golden 
days, which continued and increased with every 
month of the seven years we were permitted to 
enjoy each other's society. 

The year 1885 was ushered in with very cold 
and disagreeable weather. There were no calls 
from vacant churches until midsummer when I was 
invited to visit Lincoln church, seventy miles 
southeast of St. Joseph in Caldwell county. We 
left home in the hot days of July, spent a week 
with the church, holding meetings from day to day, 
and closed with a communion service, at which 
time five new members united with the church. It 
was a pleasant and profitable week to us and the 
church. Mrs. Sherwood enjoyed the week very 
much. About the 20th of December of the same 



i88 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



year, the church of Hopkins sent for us to visit 
them and spend some days with them. We 
accepted their invitation and staid with them a 
week, closing with a communion season. 

1886. The year opened warm, with a genial 
atmosphere, but the weather soon turned cold and 
snow fell sufficient for good sleighing. The last 
Sabbath of January was spent at Cameron, where 
I preached morning and night. The way seemed 
to open to recommence services at Easton church. 
I went down a few times. The opportunity was 
lost by the opposition of one man. The Sabbath 
School is the hope for Easton. 

This was the fiftieth year since my ordination to 
the ministry of the gospel. Fifty years before, I 
had received from the Congregational Association 
of the Western Reserve the following certificate: 

"Oberlin, Ohio, Sept. 6, 1836. 
"Having examined Elisha B. Sherwood as pre- 
paratory to the work of the gospel ministry and 
finding satisfactory evidence of his personal piety, 
his attainments in literature, science and theology, 
and his ability to engage in the great work to 
which the Great Head of the church has called 
him, we do hereby authorize him to perform 
the duties of the holy ministry, and affection- 
ately recommend him to the fellowship of the 
churches and ministers of our Lord Jesus Christ 



Work in Missouri 



189 



as a fellow-laborer in the great field, ordained to 
preach the gospel, administer its ordinances, and 
take oversight of any church where the Lord may 
direct him to labor. 

"Done by vote of the Association. 

"Daniel Rockwell, Moderator. 

"William Bradley, Scribe." 

I thank God that He counted me worthy to be 
put into the ministry of the gospel. I thank the 
Association that the Lord put it into their hearts 
to authorize me to preach Christ. I thank the 
Holy Ghost that He has given me the power to 
preach this glorious gospel fifty years in the fields 
that have opened to me; that more than two 
thousand souls have been added to the churches 
where I have preached this gospel; that I have 
organized over thirty churches; that I have resus- 
citated and put into working order a large number 
of feeble churches; that He has counted me worthy 
to have helped so many young men into the min- 
istry of the gospel; and for the part I have had in 
bringing about the organization of Park College. 
This has all been done by God working in me to 
will and to do. Not unto me, but to the Holy 
Ghost be the glory ! 

The year of jubilee having come, my friends took 
notice of this event in my life's work. The city 
ministry to the number of seventeen met at the 



1 90 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

residence of my son-in law, Dr. Joseph R. Taylor, 
709 S. 10th Street, St. Joseph, on Monday, Sep- 
tember 2 1 st. They came early and staid late. 
Not one of the seventeen was born when I was 
ordained to my work. I received a large number 
of letters of congratulation from friends in my New 
York fields of labor and from the brethren of our 
Presbytery. I will append one from an old lady 
ninety-four years old, widow of elder Daniel 
Holmes: 

"Wilson, N. Y., Sept. 20, 1886. 
"Rev. E. B. Sherwood. 

"Dear Friend: — I thank you for your kind invita- 
tion to attend the fiftieth anniversary of your ordi- 
nation to the gospel ministry. My heart will be 
with you. I think I had better remain at the 
homestead until I have a call, 'Come tome,' from 
on high. With Christian love, 

"Mrs. Sarah Holmes." 

We received congratulations from Youngstown, 
N. Y. , a joint letter from friends in Liverpool, 
N. Y., congratulations and love from brother and 
sister Hatch of Rochester, N. Y. , from Mrs. Dr. 
Artemus Bullard, whose acquaintance I had made 
in 1834 at Lane Seminary, from Rev. Mr. Hayden 
and wife, from A. M. Saxton, banker in St. Joseph 
and a Sabbath School scholar in 1835, from Rev. 
C. J. Van Deventer of the M. E. Church, and 



Work in Missouri 



191 



members of Platte Presbytery: Rev. James Reed 
of Savannah, Rev. A. B. Goodale of Kingston, 
Rev. Wm. Meyer of Grant City, Rev. W. H. Rogers 
of Hamilton, and Rev. T. D. Roberts of Oregon. 
These letters were full of sympathy and tender 
feeling. Mr. Roberts was the first student enter- 
ing the ministry from Park College within our 
bounds. At the fall meeting of Platte Presbytery 
there was a sketch of the labors of these fifty years 
read by Rev. Mr. Rogers and listened to with in- 
terest. Following is an extract from the "New York 
Evangelist," dated Sept. 30th, 1886: — 

"It is fifty years since the ordination of the Rev. 
E. B. Sherwood to the ministry, and that control- 
ling event in his life was duly marked by a recep- 
tion given at the residence of his daughter in St. 
Joseph, Mo., on the evening of the 21st of Sep- 
tember. Like his contemporary, the late Dr. 
Hatfield, he was greatly blessed in his early minis- 
try. The scene of these faithful and fruitful labors 
was western New York and he is warmly remem- 
bered there. And since then, though far from 
these early activities, he has loved 'to mind the 
same things. ' His has been a fruitful as well as a 
protracted ministry; and now at evening time it is 
light. A good degree of strength remains to him 
and doubtless nothing so renews his prime as to 
engage in special labors for the conversion of those 
who are out of the fold of Christ." 



1 92 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

The "St. Louis Evangelist" of Sept. 23rd 
surprised me with an article by the editor on my 
work, which he had known personally for forty 
years. Here is an extract: — 

"When a minister by a bold attack did what I 
knew was done by the Rev. E. B. Sherwood in 
Liverpool, N. Y. , in driving out drinking and 
gambling, which for years had been the standing 
wickedness of that town, and in giving the people 
in this place an evening school for the instruction 
of those adults who could not read nor write, a 
savings bank in place of the saloon drawer, a lodge 
of the Sons of Temperance instead of the corrup- 
tions of the saloon, and Sabbath evening lectures 
for the masses, I knew that he was worth some- 
thing to the world wherever his lot was cast. Men 
are remembered by what they have done." 

This commemoration of the fifty years would be 
the natural close of Chapter VI., but there is one 
duty which I owe to Mrs. Susan Butler Sherwood, 
which can be better discharged here than in any 
other period connected with this sketch of my life. 

Mrs. Sherwood had been with me two years and 
two months when the jubilee occurred. She was 
deeply interested in the event, the first occasion of 
the sort which she had witnessed. It gave her 
great pleasure to witness the respect paid to her 
husband on that occasion by home friends and 



Work in Missouri 



193 



those more remote. From that time she felt that 
she was among friends. Her health had been 
enfeebled by the greater heat of this climate over 
that of New York. The pleasant fall that followed 
toned up her system. Her general health im- 
proved. The almost five years that she lived 
after the jubilee were pleasant years to her, giving 
her health and strength beyond her most sanguine 
expectations. She was adding every year to her 
list of friends, for she had only to be known to 
make fast friends. She counted these five years 
among the happiest periods of her long and useful 
life. The day she was taken sick, she prepared, 
cooked and ate her last meal. For seven days 
she was the greatest sufferer I ever attended. 
Everything was done that medical science could 
devise, but no relief came until exhausted nature 
worked its own relief. When relief came, she 
was so prostrated that there was no recuperation, 
and she steadily sank into the arms of death. 
The day before she died she said to me, "How good 
was my heavenly Father to send you to Youngs- 
town in that meeting of 1841 to show me the way 
to my Savior!" One of her lady friends asked her 
the same day, "How do you feel? She replied, 
"It is well with my soul, but my body is full of 
pain." Dying was but going home with her. Her 
mind was perfectly clear, so that she gave direc- 



ig4 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



tions as to her dress and burial, and how 
to distribute her mementos. She died about 
half-past six in the morning of the hottest 
day in the year, August 7th, 1891, aged 81 years 
and four months. We carried out her wishes, 
warm as the day was. The body was prepared 
and coffined, and brief services were held in the 
home she loved so well by Dr. Dinwiddie of the 
M. E. church, her pastor being in Philadelphia. 
In the evening we put her body on the fast train 
and left for Yoangstown, N. Y. , where we laid her 
to rest on her own lot between her only son and 
Mr. Butler. "Blessed are the dead which die in 
the Lord." 



CHAPTER VII. 



PARK COLLEGE AND MY RELATIONS TO IT. 

The great want of Missouri from its early settle- 
ment was a Christian college. Dr. David Nelson 
saw the need and attempted to supply it by estab- 
lishing Marion College in the northeastern portion 
of the state. He was in advance of the people he 
attempted to benefit. They spurned his offer and 
rejected his help and compelled him to flee from 
the state. 

Dr. Artemus Bullard, who has left his footprints 
in almost every county in this large state, was the 
next man who realized the want and began such a 
college at Webster Groves. His sudden death at 
the falling of the Gasconade bridge near the close 
of 1855 left the infant college at Webster Groves 
without any one to carry out Dr. Bullard's plan. 
The college building was converted into an orphan 
asylum. This is all that remains of that well- 
begun effort. 

When I came to the Missouri valley in Novem- 
ber, 1865, Quantrell and the James boys were so 
popular that emigrants on their way to Kansas 

190 



ig6 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



would go around the state rather than chance 
their lives by passing through it. Pistols out- 
numbered Bibles in some congregations to which I 
first preached. I found what was known as the 
Platte Purchase one scene of moral desolation, save 
at St. Joseph and some of the better county-seats. 
I was invited to take charge of the church at Wes- 
ton, Platte County. I accepted the invitation and 
removed my family there in May, 1866. I had 
been in Weston less than two months when I was 
instructed to go to Breckinridge, Caldwell county, 
and if the way was clear organize a church there. 
I obeyed instructions, found the way clear and 
organized a Presbyterian church. Very soon there 
came a like message to go to Forest City, seventy 
miles northwest. Soon I was asked to undertake 
the work of a Presbyterial missionary for the old 
Lexington Presbytery. As we began organizing 
new churches and gathering up those scattered by 
the war, the question of supplies for these fields 
came up. Whence were they to come? They must 
come from the east or north. We made the effort 
to introduce eastern men. I induced one man to 
come from western New York. He staid just one 
week. The first Sabbath he preached in a newly 
organized church. Some roughs came in and un- 
dertook to run the town. The citizens objected 
and the roughs began shooting, which brought on 



Park College and my relations to it 197 



a bad state for the Sabbath day. I was with him 
to introduce him to the people on that day. The 
place did not please him. He packed his grip the 
next morning and left. 

Coming from either north or east there were 
many things so different from what they had been 
used to, that they had to go through a process of 
acclimatization before they became adapted to the 
new order of things. It would take from one to 
two years before they could do efficient work. After 
an experience of four years, I became thoroughly 
convinced that our only hope of a supply of minis- 
ters and Christian workers was to start a college 
for training them on the field they are to occupy. 
Accordingly I submitted to Platte Presbytery the 
following thoughts: 

"That there is a pressing need for ministers and 
Christian helpers within our bounds, there can be no 
doubt. Those of us who have had to do with sup- 
plying our churches with ministers and our Sabbath 
Schools with superintendents and teachers know 
that the men we need are not to be had with the 
inducements our churches can offer. We are 
laying foundations for northwestern Missouri Pres- 
byterianism. There are two sources of growth of 
the church of Christ. One is from an internal life 
outward. The other is by accretion. The first 
is always a healthy growth. The second may or 



ig8 



Fifty Years o?i the Skirmish Line 



may not be healthy. There will be a large immi- 
gration to us soon from other states and territories 
and from other nations. To make such accessions 
of population an integral part of ourselves, we must 
fuse these different elements into one living mass, 
that they may act together in a common cause. 
This is a difficult process and not always successful ; 
when not, it is always hazardous. Growth from 
an internal life outward always secures the condi- 
tions of unity. 

"What is true of the membership is true of the 
ministry of our church. An imported ministry 
must possess some superior gifts over a home-born 
one. These gifts enhance the value of such a 
ministry, which puts them beyond our reach, for 
the majority of our churches are not rich. It is 
a serious question after all whether an imported 
ministry has the elements of as much usefulness as 
one that is the outgrowth of the church from an 
internal life. I think it is a settled principle in the 
history of a live church that its most useful laborers 
have been the outgrowth of the church. Under 
the Old Testament church the tribe of Levi were 
consecrated to the priesthood. Under the New 
Testament church the Holy Ghost selects from a 
royal priesthood, a chosen generation. Christ 
made His selection from the common people. The 
Holy Ghost working through these turned the world 



Park College and my relations to it 199 



upside down in thirty years. He chose the weak 
things of the world to confound the things that are 
mighty, that no flesh should glory. 

"Seeking and saving the lost is a practical work. 
Therefore only practical workers succeed. When 
God calls men and women into His vineyard, He 
has work to be done. When, like Saul of Tarsus, 
they put themselves into a waiting attitude, God 
will show them what He has for them to do, and 
how He means them to do it. Our standards define 
the qualifications for the ministry. Our practical 
duty as a Presbytery is to undertake the work of 
raising up the men to cultivate this opening field 
included in the nineteen counties in the bounds 
of our Presbytery. To enable us to enter upon 
this work, we have a property offered us by the 
Hon. George S. Park for a home for such a train- 
ing school for ministers and Christian helpers." 

This paper was read and referred to a committee 
consisting of Rev. E. B. Sherwood, Rev. J. M. 
Crawford and elder John Maitland, to report at the 
spring meeting. Accordingly, at that time the 
committee reported that six months' experience 
had added to our conviction of the necessity of 
a training school for raising up Christian workers 
and ministers, and that now was the time to seize 
upon the offer of the Hon. George S. Park, who 
was there to verify the statements I had previously 



200 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



made. Mr. Park then rose and tendered the Pres- 
bytery the hotel property at Parkville, Mo., a three- 
story stone buliding, 80 x 100 feet, with twenty 
acres on the bluff for a campus and eighty acres 
lying north of the village on the branch. The re- 
port was accepted and the committee continued. 
A vote of thanks was proffered to Mr. Park for his 
generous offer, but Presbytery was not prepared 
to avail itself of it then. This offer was the germ 
of Park College. 

The germ was developed on this wise. At the 
union of the Old and New School Synods of Mis- 
souri at St. Louis in June T870, I met the Rev. 
Professor John A. McAfee. During his address 
before the united Synod on the importance of a 
Christian college, I said to myself, "I have found 
my man." Professor McAfee was the first minister 
I had met in Missouri whose views sympathized 
with mine on the importance of a Christian college. 
At the close of his address I sought him out and 
gave him my hand and my heart. From that day, 
to his death, our hearts were one on the subject 
of Christian education. Not many weeks after 
this synodical meeting I met Dr. Samuel Irvin of 
Highland, Kansas, who was in search of a pro- 
fessor for Highland University. I gave him the 
name of Professor John A. McAfee. He wrote 
and secured him for Highland. He remained there 



Park College and my relations to it 201 



five years and did what no other professor had 
done for them. He brought the University to such 
a position that the Board of Trustees called a 
president and elected a full faculty. Professor 
McAfee was given the Greek chair, with such 
restrictions that he could not accept it, and his work 
there ceased. 

Learning that he had closed his work at High- 
land, I wrote him that I had a place for him at 
Parkville and told him of the offer of Mr. Park. 
After the passage of several letters, a meeting was 
arranged for the 29th of March, 1875. The Hon. 
George S. Park and Dr. John A. McAfee met for 
the first time. It was with great pleasure that I 
brought these two gentlemen together. God had 
given Mr. Park the means and Dr. McAfee the 
training to use the means tendered by Mr. Park. 
They were not long in settling the preliminaries. 
The name was settled first: 

"park college for training christian workers." 

Professor McAfee was to take immediate pos- 
session of the hotel property, and with it, lands 
for garden and farming and fruit from the orchard 
for family supplies. Mr. Park donated $500 to 
enable Professor McAfee to change his location 
from Highland to Parkville. These were the men 
whom God had raised up to found a Christian 
college in Missouri. They were both baptized by 



202 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



Dr. David Nelson, Dr. McAfee in infancy, Mr. 
Park at his conversion. Dr. Nelson had impressed 
both these men with his self-denying, Christlike 
example in educational efforts for the worthy poor. 
Little did Dr. Nelson think while baptizing John 
A. McAfee in infancy or George S. Park in his 
majority that he was baptizing the men who would 
take up and carry out the plan that lay in his own 
heart and train the worthy poor youth as ministers 
and teachers for the increasing millions of the 
valley of the Missouri! 

When God wants workers, He takes them from 
the classes He designs to benefit. When He 
wanted a man who would furnish a home for such 
a school as the youth of Missouri demanded, he put 
it into the heart of George S. Park, a youth of 
sixteen years, to leave his home in Vermont on foot 
in the winter of 1827, and thus make the entire 
journey to the state of Illinois. On reaching that 
state, he cast about for something to do. A school 
opened to him. He entered it and taught through 
the term. He learned one thing, to wit, that he 
needed more education. Hence he entered Jack- 
sonville College and pursued its course until he 
completed its junior year. Wanting a change, he 
took a hand in the conflict for Texan independence. 
He was in the hottest of the fray in the bloody 
scenes of those terrible days. In the Goliad mas- 



Park College and my relations to it 



203 



sacre he was one of three who escaped with their 
lives. Returning from Texas, he stopped in Cal- 
laway County, Mo. Here he taught a school where 
he was converted under the ministry of Dr. David 
Nelson, was baptized and united with the Presby- 
terian church. 

On the opening of the Platte Purchase for set- 
tlement, Mr. Park settled as a merchant at what 
is known as Parkville, and became an extensive 
land owner in Missouri and Texas, and later in 
Illinois. He was one of three male members who 
founded the Presbyterian church at Parkville. He 
built a parsonage, gave the lot for the church and 
$500 to start the house of worship, and saw it 
finished. He next planned for the education of 
the youth and was in the midst of these plans 
when the border war troubles broke in upon them 
and drove him from his home for a time. 

I was introduced to Mr. Park in 1866 when he 
was a candidate for the state senate, to which he 
was elected. I did not meet him again until the 
fall of 1872, when as Presbyterial missionary, two 
years after the death of their old pastor, Dr. John 
Moore, I was invited by Mr. Park to make his 
house my home in Parkville. With a smiling 
countenance he said that there was always a 
prophet's chamber in it. At my second visit the 
subject of our want of a Christian training school 



204 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

came up. I soon discovered that I had found the 
man for whom I was looking, one who had a home 
for such a school. 

We had to wait some three years before the one 
whom God designed to take possession of this home 
was ready to enter it. He was in training in the 
person of the Rev. Professor John A. McAfee. 
Born of Scotch-Irish parentage, baptized by Dr. 
David Nelson in the New Providence church, his 
early life impressed with the consecrated life of 
Dr. Nelson, trained by godly parents in the way 
he should go, circumstances seemed to have 
stamped his character as one that was set apart 
for God's work. He devoted himself to a thorough 
classical education and graduated from Westmin- 
ster College, Fulton, Mo. As the question of his 
life work came up for settlement, it became more 
and more certain that John A. McAfee was to take 
up the work which Dr. Nelson had been compelled 
to lay down for want of sympathy and means to 
carry it forward. Professor McAfee soon entered 
upon his chosen work with a consecration that told 
that his whole soul was in it. God gave him a 
wife who was in full sympathy with him and was 
his efficient helper in all that was given him to do. 
They drew around them a choice circle of youth 
who under their training became useful ministers 
and teachers. Professor McAfee failed to enlist 



Park College and my relations to it 



205 



men of means to aid him in a large effort until, in 
His own way and time, God brought him in contact 
with the right man. Little did I think, when I 
listened to those three sermons of Dr. David Nelson 
in Rochester, N. Y. , in 1832, that he was dropping 
into my heart and brain germs whose growth 
would control my preparation for the ministry, 
direct my ministry for eighteen years in New York 
and ten years in Michigan, and bring me to Mis- 
souri when there was such a demand for a Christian 
college, and when there was needed a man to bring 
together the men whom God had been preparing to 
meet that great demand. It was my privilege 
to bring together the Hon. George S. Park and 
the Rev. Professor John A. McAfee on March 29th, 
1875. ^ was tne linking together of two grand 
men in one of the noblest objects that can occupy 
the heart and hand of Christian men. 

Impelled by convictions and driven by the dis- 
pensations of an all-wise Providence, Professor 
McAfee gave his life with its best energies to devis- 
ing methods and organizing agencies for reaching 
successfully the class of youth to which he had 
belonged. The plan he adopted was that of a well 
regulated Christian family. The name he gave it 
was, "Park College Family." The age fixed for 
entrance to this Family was sixteen. It was open 
to any youth who desired a classical education and 



2o6 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



would honestly and faithfully manifest the disposi- 
tion to use aright the opportunities afforded and 
would develop the capacity that promised useful- 
ness in the church and the world. The object of 
Park College is to educate and develop each student 
so that he will act well his part in whatever sphere 
of life he is called to fill. The Family is a helper 
and feeder to the College. Every student who 
makes application for membership in the Family 
receives a circular in which its object is clearly 
stated in these words: 

"Who are admitted? — i. Those to whom God 
has given a desire and purpose faithfully to study 
the Bible, receive its teachings and practice its 
precepts, and secure a training for efficiency in the 
service of the Lord. No amount of money, no 
appeal of sympathy or faithfulness in work will 
secure a place for one who does not faithfully seek 
the one object had in view here. 

"2. Those who have entered upon, and will 
steadily pursue a full classical course of training. 

"3. Those who will heartily engage in some 
manual labor each day and seek proficiency in any 
sphere given them to fill. 

"4. Those who will seek daily to glorify God in 
work, study and a hearty and cheerful obedience 
to those who are over them in the Lord. 

"5. Welcome the youth who eagerly desires a 



Park College and my relations to it 207 



development and a training for the Master's ser- 
vice. But those whose parents are unable to meet 
the necessary expenses should and must have such 
consent of parents as shall enable them to yield a 
cheerful and unhesitating allegiance to the family 
as its adopted children during the college course." 

Prof. McAfee was put in possession^ of a place 
and means to inaugurate his family plan by the 
Hon. George S. Park in March 1875 i n an unused 
hotel building in the village of Parkville, on the 
Missouri river nine miles above Kansas City. Be- 
ginning with seventeen moneyless but determined 
students, the work has grown to its present (1893) 
number of 335 and will continue to grow as rapidly 
as the Lord gives us means to provide rooms for 
students. There is no endowment for the Family. 
The Lord provides. The year from June 1892 to 
1893 the Family received $39,404.30 which was 
expended in table supplies, improvements, repairs, 
implements, buildings and all kinds of expenses 
for a family of over three hundred. Appeals are 
made by pen and press. 

Why this success? The blessing of the Lord is 
a moving power in the hearts of all engaged in the 
work, resulting from the presence and power of 
the Holy Spirit honoring the constant and large 
use daily made of the Scripture. Devotional Bible 
study is the one supreme thought overreaching 



2o8 Fifty Years 071 the Skirmish Line 



everything else. It is simply feeding upon the in- 
spired word of God, and letting it influence and 
control the motives and actions of all connected 
with Park College Family. Another reason for 
its success is the self-respect inculcated, fostered 
and cultivated in each student. Another is the 
devotion felt for their college home. All that 
enter there feel it has been a home to them during 
the years they remained there. Another reason is 
the entire dependence upon the grace of God and 
the faithfulness required of all connected with the 
Family. 

These are the reasons why Park College is draw- 
ing students from Syria, Bulgaria, Spain, Ger- 
many, Scotland, England, Canada and other 
British provinces, as well as from a majority of the 
United States. Our students are in demand for 
the home and foreign mission work, and are 
already doing valiant service both in the Missouri 
valley and elsewhere. 

On the 12th of April, 1875, P al "k College Family 
had possession of the home. The course of study 
was fully inaugurated. The system of work 
indoors and out on the farm was begun. Spring 
opened with promise; everything in garden and 
field was flourishing. Mysterious as it may appear, 
just at this time the grasshopper army put in 
their appearance. In an incredibly short time 



Park College and my relations to it 209 

there was nothing left that was green on the entire 
premises but a few tomato plants on the window- 
stools of the third story of the home of the College 
Family. Garden and farm all were swept clean. 
Here was a crisis to be passed. Who was to meet 
it? Providence seemed to indicate that I must 
undertake it. 

I left home on the 8th of June to see what I 
could do among my friends in the state of New 
York. In a few days I sent back from Lockport, 
N. Y., a draft for $40, $20 of which came from T. 
T. Flagler, Esq. I spent my time until the first 
of November, about five months, in New York, 
where I found a few friends in every circle of my 
early acquaintances who contributed. Some gave 
money; some gave other help. So that crisis was 
passed. Dr. Knox of Elmira, N. Y., pastor of the 
First Presbyterian church, entered into sympathy 
with us and laid out a plan whereby I raised in his 
congregation $160. Those months were not to 
be estimated only by the money and the goods 
obtained, which kept the Family in supplies. 1 
raised up future friends who have given thousands 
of dollars to Park College Family. 

An invitation to return to Michigan and spend a 
year in gathering a new church in North Kalama- 
zoo, took me out of Missouri one year and three 
months. On my return to Missouri on the 20th 



2IO 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



of July 1877, Professor McAfee wished me to re- 
turn to the financial agency of Park College. I 
consented to give the remainder of the year to this 
work, visiting the states of Illinois and Kansas. I 
gave August and September to Kansas and to St. 
Louis and other points in Missouri where there was 
hope of doing anything for the young college. St. 
Louis gave us considerable help. Kansas City 
responded with money, lumber, nails and clothing. 

I attended the meetings of Topeka Presbytery 
and of the Synod of Kansas and was kindly received. 
The Synod of Missouri met this year at St. Charles. 
I attended, and to my surprise was nominated for 
moderator and elected by acclamation. After 
Synod I visited the eastern portion of Missouri and 
passed over into Illinois. I found substantial aid 
at Jacksonville, Springfield, Bloomington, Winona, 
L'Ostant, Carrollton and many other places. Ten 
days were spent at the home of the Hon. George 
S. Park at Magnolia, 111., in work on a charter for 
Park College in consort with Mr. Park, drafting 
and perfecting the same. It was submitted to 
competent judges and approved. This charter was 
brought forward by Mr. Park at the first com- 
mencement, June 1879. He had associated his 
daughter, Ella L. Park, now Mrs. George A. Law- 
rence of Galesburg, 111., with himself. Also Rev. 
C. C. Kimball, D.D., Jonathan Ford, Timothy 



Park College and my relations to it 211 



Hill, D.D., J. W. Byers and P. S. Brown, Esq., 
of Kansas City; Rev. E. B. Sherwood, Rev. Henry 
Bullard and John De Clue of St. Joseph; James 
Marsh, M. D., of Liberty, Mo., and Rev. Professor 
John A. McAfee, Mrs. John A. McAfee and F. 
Kahm of Parkville as trustees. These trustees 
adopted the charter presented by the Hon. George 
S. Park (see Charter in Appendix). At the first 
meeting of the Board of Trustees under this 
charter, the following officers were chosen: 

Rev. C. C. Kimball, D.D., President, Rev. E. 
B. Sherwood, Vice-President, Mr. Jonathan Ford, 
Secretary, Mr. J. W. Byers, Treasurer. 

Advisory Committee: C. C. Kimball, E. B. 
Sherwood, John A. McAfee, Jonathan Ford, J. 
W. Byers. 

At a called meeting of the Trustees of Park 
College on the 31st of May, 1882, the vice-presi- 
dent was called to the chair. The first business 
was the acceptance of the resignation of the Presi- 
dent of the Board on account of change of resi- 
dence. The resignation was accepted. On motion 
of Mr. John DeClue, Rev. E, B. Sherwood was 
chosen President. The next morning, June 1st, 
the Board met at 8 o'clock and proceeded to 
business preparatory to commencement duties. 
The degree of A. B. was granted to the thirteen 
graduates recommended by the faculty as entitled 



212 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



to this degree. I signed the diploma of that grad- 
uating class, our fourth since the beginning, and 
every year since have had the same pleasant duty 
to perform. The class of 1893 brought up our 
alumni roll to 200. My name stands on the 
diplomas of 184 of these. 

I am truly thankful that I am spared while so 
many co-workers have died. As a Board we have 
witnessed and aided the steady growth and the 
uprising of Park College until it is the banner 
college of our church in furnishing candidates for 
the Presbyterian ministry. While many colleges 
are soliciting students we have been compelled to 
turn away from one to two hundred annually for 
the last four or five years. 

The friends of Park College have grown with its 
growth. The wants of the college have increased 
with our increasing members. According to our 
faith in the divine Lord who gave us Park College 
have our wants in buildings, lands, teachers and 
supplies been met. It was God's planting. Its 
growth is from an internal life outward. As long 
as its Board of Trustees, its faculty, its alumni 
and its students abide in Christ and His words 
abide in us, we may ask whatever will be for God's 
glory and the best interest of Park College and it 
shall be done for us. 

Since our incorporation in June, 1879, four of 



Park College and my relations to it 



213 



the incorporators have died. The first to be called 
away was that prince of Home Mission leaders, 
Rev. Timothy Hill, D.D., the vice-president of 
our board. He had accompanied his younger son 
to a new building that he was superintending. The 
son had occasion to be absent from the room 
where his father was looking over his morning 
mail. When he returned he found his father dead, 
his hand grasping the letter he was reading when 
the unseen messenger called him home. 

The Hon. George S. Park died on the 6th of 
June, 1890, after a long and painful illness at 
Magnolia, 111. His remains were brought to Park- 
ville, attended by his widow, his daughter, Mrs. 
Ella Park Lawrence and her husband, George A. 
Lawrence, Esq., and his only grandson, Master 
Park Lawrence. After funeral services in the 
McCormick Chapel of Park College in which Dr. 
John A. McAfee, Dr. Henry Bullard and the Rev. 
E. B. Sherwood each took part, he was borne by 
a large procession to the burial place of his own 
selection in the cemetery of Parkville. After the 
coffin was deposited in the grave, the corporate 
Board, the faculty, alumni and students laid each 
a flower upon his coffin as a token of their respect 
for the man whose memory will live wherever 
Park College is known. Mr. Park had passed his 
79th birthday, and hence was ripe in years and 
service. 



214 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



This was a mournful beginning of our com- 
mencement for 1890. The Board of Trustees were 
in full attendance on Wednesday and Thursday. 
A large class had graduated. President McAfee 
had said his farewell as he passed to each graduate 
his diploma. The committee of the Board of 
Trustees to whom had been referred the report of 
President McAfee as to the state of the college, of 
which Mr. John De Clue was chairman, were highly 
pleased with the condition dispalyed. At the close 
of the commencement exercises Mr. DeClue came 
forward and read their report before the full house, 
recommending that it be received by a rising vote 
of the entire audience. The President of the Board 
put the question; the entire audience arose. The 
effect on Dr. McAfee was noticed by some. He 
was under necebsity of seeking fresh air at the back 
door of the chapel before the audience was dis- 
missed. That night there was an adjourned meet- 
ing of the Presbytery of Platte in the chapel, in 
which Dr. McAfee took an active part. His son 
met him at the chapel with a horse and buggy, 
with which the President drove to his house. 
Soon after he retired to bed but without relief. 
As the gates of day began to open on the 13th of 
June 1890, the college bell began to toll. As soon 
as I heard it, I said to my wife that I feared Dr. 
McAfee was dead. I had been with him a good 



Park College and my relations to it 



215 



deal during the week. The preceding afternoon I 
had said to a friend, "I should not be surprised if 
he should drop off at any moment." I dressed and 
went out on the street, and met the President's son 
Lapsley coming to inform me that his father had 
died before midnight. Commencement week began 
with the burial of Mr. Park and ended with the 
death of my other co-worker in the beginning of 
Park College. They embalmed his body and ap- 
pointed the Monday following for the funeral. 

As president, I called a special meeting of the 
Board of Trustees to be held in Parkville on Mon- 
day, June 16th, at 1 1 o'clock. After organizing, 
I handed the secretary the following resolutions 
which were read and adopted: 

"Resolved, by the Board of Trustees of Park 
College, That in Rev. J. A. McAfee D.D. we have 
an example of one, who though rich in natural 
and acquired endowments yet, for the sake of 
giving a Christian education to poor, deserving 
youth, he so knew the grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that he made himself poor that others 
might become rich in Christian training. 

"Resolved, That in the prosecution of his self- 
denying work "his faith staggered not at the prom- 
ises of God," for it mattered not how many obsta- 
cles appeared, yet his faith rose superior to them 
all, and he ceased not to wrestle in prayer. 

9 



2l6 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



"Resolved, As the Board of Trustees of a col- 
lege that was begun in prayer and self-denial, and 
has been sustained by faith in God's daily care, 
we do pledge anew our fidelity to the work to 
which we have been called. Trusting alone in 
God, we will labor to rear on the foundation already 
laid, a structure that will outlast the lives of its 
founders and bless the coming ages. 

"Resolved, That with thanksgiving we learn of 
the determination of Mrs. McAfee and her sons to 
take up the mantle fallen from the husband and 
father, and stand in his place in the care of the 
family. We do hereby express our full confidence 
in them and their ability to successfully maintain 
the work. 

"Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be 
presented to Mrs. McAfee and family, also that 
these resolutions be sent to our Church papers and 
the papers of Parkville, Kansas City and St. 
Joseph." 

The Board then adjourned and attended the 
funeral of President McAfee, acting as honorary 
pall-bearers. A mournful procession bore his 
body to the cemetery and laid it near where we 
laid the body of Mr. Park a week before. If 
» flowers were the expression of affection for the 
departed President, surely he was much beloved. 

In August, 1890, died another of our co-laborers 



Park College and ?ny relations to it 217 

of the Board of Trustees, our secretary since our 
incorporation, Mr. Jonathan Ford of Kansas City, 
an elder in the Second Church. He is missed by 
the Board, missed in the college, and especially 
missed by the poor of Kansas City. 

When the Board of Trustees of the College met 
in June 1892, the following communication was 
received from the faculty: 

"To the Board of Trustees: 

"In consideration of his long, valiant and suc- 
cessful service in the cause of Christ in the Presby- 
terian Church, and of his unwearied devotion to 
the affairs of Park College from its founding, the 
faculty of Park College recommend that the hon- 
orary degree of Doctor of Divinity be conferred 
upon the Rev. Elisha B. Sherwood." 

This recommendation was a surprise to me. No 
honorary degrees had been granted by the college, 
and the adoption of the recommendation was an 
added pleasure. In the afternoon of the same day 
notice came that the Highland University of High- 
land, Kansas, had conferred upon me the same 
degree. This was even more of a surprise to me 
than the first and was highly appreciated. 

In conclusion, the writer of this sketch is truly 
thankful to the great Captain, the Lord Jesus 
Christ, that he was counted worthy to be called to 
the services he has rendered on the skirmish line 



2l8 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



which are herein portrayed. He is thankful for 
that drill which endued him with moral courage 
which feared not hard cases nor shunned hard 
places, for the armor of righteousness which enabled 
him to stand in the evil day, for the sword of the 
Spirit which has been his only weapon of defense, 
for the effectual fervent prayer which has availed 
much. Above all, he thanks the Father, Son and 
Holy Spirit for the gospel which he has been ena- 
bled to preach to the saving of precious souls. 



SERMON I. 



Acts 1:8. — "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is 
come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusa- 
lem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts 
of the earth," 

The last words of a departing friend or a dying 
parent have a charm that impresses them upon 
memory and makes us delight to recall them. The 
text is the closing words of their ascending Lord 
to His sorrowing disciples. There are two thoughts 
in the text that are very precious: The promise of 
power from the Holy Ghost, and the assurance that 
they should be Christ's witnesses. 

The power from the Holy Ghost was indispensa- 
ble to qualify them to take up the work Christ had 
given them to do. Matthew designates it "teach- 
ing the nations." Mark invests it with the author- 
ity of a command: "Preach the gospel to every 
creature." Luke defines it as "preaching repentance 
and remission of sins in the name of Jesus among 
all nations." Our Lord in the text calls it witness- 
ing unto Him. Whatever name you give the work, 
it is great. Who is sufficient for it ? The apostles 

were not. Notwithstanding, they had been 

219 



220 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



specially chosen for it, and by our Lord instructed 
and commissioned to undertake it. Said He to 
them: "You need a power which nothing but the 
Holy Ghost can impart to you; therefore tarry ye 
in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with 
power from on high." In the context they are com- 
manded "not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait 
for the promise of the Father which, saith He, ye 
have heard of Me." "Ye shall be baptized with 
the Holy Ghost not many days hence." 

But there was one thing that had so taken pos- 
session of the apostles' minds that the "promise of 
the Father" was not appreciated. It was this: 
"Lord, wilt thou not at this time restore again 
the kingdom to Israel?" To which He replied, I 
have something better for you than the kingdom 
restored. It is not for you to know the times and 
seasons which the Father hath put in His own 
power. The Holy Ghost coming upon you shall be 
better for you than the restored kingdom. When 
He had spoken these things, while they beheld, 
Luke says while He blessed them, in the very act 
of imparting a blessing to them, He was parted 
from them and carried up into heaven. All their 
hopes of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel 
were now blasted. They were shut up to lay hold 
of the "promise of the Father." 

They return to Jerusalem and gather in that 



Sermon I 



221 



upper room and wait for the promised baptism of 
the Holy Ghost "not many days hence." They 
continue with one accord in prayer and supplication 
with the women. Day after day they tarry in that 
upper chamber, waiting on God. They stagger not 
at the promise of God through unbelief. They 
are strong in faith. They are fully persuaded that 
what God had promised He is able to perform. 

The first day passed and there was no power. 
The second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the 
sixth — and no answer yet. The seventh is the for- 
tunate day in the Hebrew calendar. "Surely the 
Holy Ghost will come to us to-day," and the 
seventh was passed in prayer and supplication — yet 
no answer. "Wait thou only on God." They 
clung closer to the promise and would not let the 
angel of the covenant go. "When the day of 
Pentecost" — the fiftieth from our Lord's crucifixion 
and the tenth since His ascension — "was fully come, 
they were all with one accord in one place. And 
suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a 
rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house 
where they were sitting." We know not which of 
the disciples was praying when the answer came. 
We have often thought that it would have rejoiced 
us. to have been in that meeting. It was a wonder- 
ful scene. There was nothing like it ever before. 
There has been no meeting like it since. Peter 



222 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



looked up and saw on John's forehead a lambent 
flame of fire. John saw the same flame resting 
upon Peter, and as they looked from one to the 
other, there appeared "cloven tongues like as of 
fire, and it sat upon each of them." "And they 
were all filled with the Holy Ghost." The living 
God was in contact with those one hundred and 
twenty, Himself teaching and loving while they 
learned and loved. This truth was then and there 
illustrated, that God does work with men directly 
and specially, and that He does reveal Himself 
unto His children in such a manner that the hum- 
blest of them are wiser than the most learned of 
unregenerated men. It was there proved that the 
God of life does take His chosen ones into such re- 
lations with Himself that the soul is born again, 
new-formed, re-created. 

Such was the power coming upon the disciples 
which prepared them to be witnesses for Jesus. 
They now "began to speak with other tongues as 
the Spirit gave them utterance." What a change 
the coming of the Holy Ghost wrought upon these 
hitherto timid disciples! They were true witnesses 
unto Him. Beholding the power that had come 
upon them, the people were amazed, "saying one 
to another, "What meaneth this?" Others mocking 
said, "These men are full of new wine." Peter, 
standing up with the eleven, showed them that men 



Sermon I 



223 



did not get drunk on new wine at nine o'clock in 
the morning. "This is that which was spoken by 
the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the 
last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit 
upon all flesh." The last days spoken of by Joel 
have come, the Spirit is poured out. What you 
see is the result. He then demonstrated to them 
that Jesus was the Messiah and concluded his testi- 
mony with the words of the 36th verse of the 
second chapter of Acts: "Therefore let all the 
house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath 
made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, 
both Lord and Christ." 

The thousands of the house of Israel could not 
resist such testimony. It pricked them to the heart 
and they "said unto Peter and the rest of the 
apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 
This is the very Christ. His blood is on us and 
on our children. Then said Peter unto them, 
There is only one thing you can do, "repent and 
be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus 
Christ for the remission of sins." By being bap- 
tized in the name of Jesus Christ you confess your 
faith in Him as the Messiah. Thus accepting 
Christ, God will accept you as true penitents and 
will grant you remission of sins. As evidence that 
you are forgiven, you "shall receive the gift of the 
Holy Ghost," the witness of the Spirit witnessing 



224 



Fifty Years o?i the Skirmish Line 



that you are born again, created anew in Christ 
Jesus. As the effect of Peter witnessing for Christ, 
many gladly received the word and three thousand 
confessed Christ in the sacrament of baptism and 
were added to the church the same day. Such was 
the result of the first day's work for Jesus after 
the Holy Ghost had come upon them. The next 
recorded day's work gave them five thousand, and 
in less than thirty-three years they literally turned 
the world upside-down, so mightily did they wit- 
ness for Jesus. 

This leads us to this important truth: that power 
communicated to the one hundred and twenty on 
the day of Pentecost by the coming of the Holy 
Ghost upon them is just as essential to us as it was 
to them in order that Christ may now have a wit- 
nessing church. The coming of the Holy Ghost 
was the secret of their wonderful power in prayer 
and in the preaching of the word. The same 
power will give the same efficiency to those who 
witness for Christ that the apostles possessed. 
We use the word "essential" here understandingly. 
We mean by the statement that the power of the 
Holy Ghost is just as necessary to the constitution 
and existence of the church now as it was when our 
Savior spoke those last words to His disciples. 
Before the Holy Ghost came upon them they had 
no clearer ideas of the spiritual nature of Christ's 



Sermon I 



225 



kingdom than Nicodemus had of the new birth. 
Even after our Lord had commanded them not to 
depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the baptism of 
the Holy Ghost, what was their first question on 
being assembled with their Lord in this last inter- 
view with Him on earth? "Lord, wilt thou at this 
time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" Out of 
the abundance of their hearts they spoke. They 
were full of the subject of the restoration of the 
kingdom to Israel. The command not to depart 
from Jerusalem until they were endued with power 
from on high had made no impression on their 
minds. They wished the Roman yoke broken and 
their Lord seated on the throne of David. Some 
of them were doubtless expecting a good place in 
His cabinet and others hoped for a foreign appoint- 
ment. It was when their Lord went up on high 
that it first broke upon their minds that Christ's 
kingdom is not of this world. "The natural man 
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." 
This great fact is confirmed in the experience of 
every natural man. The reason why the natural 
man does not receive the things of the Spirit of 
God is found in the fact that we are dead in tres- 
passes and sins. Men are insensible to spiritual 
truths as dead men are to passing events. It is 
only when they are quickened by the power of the 
Holy Ghost coming upon them that they are raised 



226 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



out of their graves of sin and come to understand 
the truth as it is in Jesus. It is the Spirit that 
quickeneth. "Now we have not received the spirit 
of the world but the spirit which is of God, that 
we might know the things that are freely given us 
of God ; which things also we speak, not in the 
words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which 
the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things 
with spiritual." We witness for Christ only so far 
as the Holy Ghost has taught us. "Howbeit, when 
He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you 
into all truth, for He shall not speak of Himself, 
but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak, 
and He will show you things to come. He shall 
glorify me, for He shall receive of mine and show 
it unto you." 

Obedience to the truth as it is in Jesus is the first 
condition of knowing it. "If any man will do His 
will, he shall know of the doctrine." Saul of Tarsus 
was in great doubt whether Jesus was indeed the 
Christ. As soon as he submitted himself to Christ 
to do His will, he came to know the truth and the 
truth made him free. To know Christ and His 
resurrection became the master-thought of his 
master-mind. Christ so dwelt in his heart by faith 
that he was rooted and grounded in love and was 
able to comprehend with all saints what is the 
breadth and length and depth and height and to 



Sermon I 



227 



know the love of Christ that passeth knowledge, 
that he might be rilled with the fullness of God. 
It was this wonderful knowledge that enabled Paul 
to utter those precious sayings of the power of this 
glorious gospel, such as are found in the Acts and 
his epistles, For example: "I am not ashamed 
of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God 
unto salvation to every one that believeth." The 
power of this gospel to save is limited only by want 
of faith. To him that believeth, all things are 
possible. This gospel not only possessed power to 
save, but gave Paul great peace with God and set 
him free from condemnation; for the spirit of life 
in Christ Jesus had made him free from the law of 
sin and death. * This gospel bound him to Christ 
by a tie that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, 
nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, 
nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any 
other creature" could sever. Such a living witness 
for Christ carried with him a power that convinced 
both Jews and Gentiles that it was "a faithful say- 
ing and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus 
came unto the world to save sinners." It is such 
a practical knowledge of Christ that gives power to 
His gospel to-day. The Rev. George Muller, of 
Bristol, England, speaking of a certain period of 
his life, characterizes thus: "Since I came to 
know the Lord." What we want is to know the 



228 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



Lord. We want to know the power of an indwell- 
ing God. We want so to live that friends and foes 
will know that it is the Spirit of God who speaks in 
us. 

We need the power of the Holy Ghost not only 
that we may witness from a knowledge of Christ's 
work upon our hearts, but also to enable us to 
teach transgressors God's ways that sinners may be 
converted. The ministry should be the outgrowth 
of the church and in full sympathy with it. Con- 
sequently, a witnessing church will demand a wit- 
nessing ministry. Before we can help sinners out 
of the horrible pit and miry clay, our feet must 
stand upon the Rock of Ages. Hence the great 
number of ministers and Sabbath-School teachers 
who, while they teach transgressors God's ways, 
fail to lead them to the Lamb of God who taketh 
away the sins of the world. They know more of 
Sinai than of Calvary. The love of God shed abroad 
in the heart by the Holy Ghost is the essential 
power that enables us to lead sinners to Christ. 
Hence the prayer of the Psalmist: "Restore unto 
me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with 
thy free Spirit." From joys of salvation and the 
upholdings of God's Spirit comes that hope that 
maketh not ashamed. 

We are not only to hear the word at God's 
mouth ; but we are to give the people warning from 



Sermon I 



229 



God. The charge is to speak with God's words 
unto them. We are not at liberty to say, "Thus 
saith the Lord," when we have drawn our sermons 
from German philosophy or have spun them out 
of our own vain imaginations. "The prophet that 
hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that 
hath my word, let him speak it faithfully. What 
is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. Is not 
my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a 
hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" There 
are those to whom the truth as it is in Jesus is a 
stumbling-block and to others it is foolishness. In 
the language of the Narrative of the State of Re- 
ligion in the Bounds of the Presbyterian Church in 
the United States (1884): "In these skeptical 
times, when skepticism is in the air and when, to 
a degree that few of us are perhaps willing to 
admit, skeptical doubts are troubling the minds of 
vast numbers of the people, it behooves us who 
hold the truth of Jesus Christ to hold fast. It is 
no time for speculations, apologies and compro- 
mises. The Bible is the inspired word of God or it 
is not. If it is not, it is of no more authority to 
us than the Mohammedan Koran or the Hindu 
Shasters, and Jesus Christ and redemption, heaven 
and hell, are delusions and lies. But if it is, its 
revelation and doctrines are true and infinitely 
mportant. We believe it is, we know it is. And 



230 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



we who preach its doctrines should preach them 
confidently, boldly, aggressively. It is to be feared 
that in some of our pulpits this is not done. It is 
to be feared that some of our preachers ignore the 
bone and sinew, the marrow and fatness, of the 
gospel and preach only or chiefly the glittering 
generalities of a sentimental religion that makes a 
mockery of the cross of Christ. And it is to be 
feared that some of our people have lost their love 
for and their faith in the glorious old saving doc- 
trines of the gospel as they are embodied in our 
Confession and the catechisms, and so have lost 
all relish for them themselves and all desire to 
teach them to their children." 

Where there is a disposition to let down the 
standard of Bible truth, it is evidence that such 
persons do not receive the truth in the love of it. 
We shall be saved through a belief of the truth. 
Those who are damned will be lost because they 
did not believe the truth. Those who in the end 
perish, do so because they receive not the truth in 
the love of it. For this cause God sends strong 
delusions to the rejectors of truth that they might 
be damned because they had pleasure in unright- 
eousness. The great inquiry, then, is, What is 
truth? Christ is the truth and the life. Let us 
believe, receive and confess Him that all His salva- 
tion may know. It is not sufficient to believe that 



Sermon I 



231 



He was the best man that ever was born of a 
woman. We must believe that He was God as well 
as man, that He died for our sins and arose again 
for our justification, that "we have redemption 
through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins." 
"When the Comforter is come whom I will send 
unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, 
which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify 
of me." "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: 
Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is 
come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit that 
confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the 
flesh is not of God. And this is that spirit of anti- 
Christ whereof ye have heard that it should come, 
and even now already is it in the world." Yes, he 
is in the world. He has entered our pulpits, and 
through the press he lifts his hydra head. His 
coming is after the working of Satan with all 
power and "with all deceivableness of unrighteous- 
ness in all them that perish because they received 
not the love of the truth that they might be 
saved." When a person lets go of the simple truth 
as it is revealed in the scriptures of the Old and 
New Testaments, he knows not whither he may 
drift. 

We are just in those times when the church needs 
power from above. It is marvelous how our best 
men have overlooked the true source of the church's 



232 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



power. In the examination of candidates for the 
ministry, how many are ever asked the question, 
Have you been endowed with power from on high? 
Have you felt that power coming upon you that 
carries you out of yourself and above yourself, that 
gives the Word of God edge, that makes it prick 
men in the heart, that begets in you an agonizing 
spirit of prayer and enables you to wrestle with 
God until the blessing comes? In selecting your 
sermons, do you first go to God and get your ear 
so near His mouth that you hear what God speaks; 
and when you have a message from God do you 
deliver it as from God? If not, your thoughts may 
be very beautiful and your logic very clear and your 
rhetoric fine and men may praise your effort, but it 
will be powerless to save souls from the power of 
sin. Such should tarry in some upper chamber 
until they are baptized with the Holy Ghost. 

Suppose Paul should meet the masses of enrolled 
church members and put the same question as to 
the members of the church of Ephesus as recorded 
in Acts 19:1 — "Have ye received the Holy Ghost 
since ye believed?" How many would be com- 
pelled to give the same answer as the Ephesian 
members: "We have not so much as heard wheter 
there be any Holy Ghost." Is He not promised 
to all who repent and are baptized in the name of 
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins? Acts 2:38 



Sermon I 



233 



— "In whom also after that ye believed, ye were 
sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise which is 
the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption 
of the purchased possession unto the praise of His 
glory." Eph. 1:13, 14 — "Know ye not that ye are 
the temple of God and that the Spirit of God 
dwelleth in you ?" These are truths which Chris- 
tians are supposed to know and witness to. Herein 
consists the power of the church: "as lively stones 
ye are built up a spiritual house, an holy priest- 
hood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to 
God by Jesus Christ," "in whom all the building fitly 
framed together groweth unto an holy temple in 
the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together 
for an habitation of God through the Spirit." 

We see what is wanted to stay the tide of skep- 
ticism that is setting in upon our churches: 

First, a ministry that has received power because 
the Holy Ghost has come upon it. There is noth- 
ing like the simple truth of the Scripture, spoken 
in the demonstration of the Spirit and power, to 
overcome the unbelief of the sinful heart and the 
power of sin in the world. The curse of the min- 
istry is that for the last quarter of a century too 
many have been drawing their inspiration from 
German philosophy rather than from the word of 
God. We are now beginning to reap the fruits of 
such a philosophy. Many of our theological pro- 



234 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



fessors are more or less tinctured with rationalism 
and are not prepared to denounce the incipient 
infidelity. A great number, especially of the 
younger ministers, are making their sermons on 
the literary models of Anglican and American 
preachers of high intellect, but more than question- 
able soundness. Thus straining to be intellectual, 
they vitiate the truth. They do not preach Christ 
Himself as our living Head, and His cross as the 
Spirit's cure for worldliness in Christ's church. By 
thus letting down the testimony of our Lord and 
avoiding the offense of the cross, there has come to 
be a strange mixing up of the church and the world 
in every conceivable form, as if it were the church's 
mission to attract the world to itself in all its world- 
liness, denying the deep difference between the 
church and the world, or that our Lord had ever 
said, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." The 
country is full of such preaching; but where is 
Christ ? He is all but unknown as the Holy Ghost 
has revealed Him in the word of God. What 
kind of witnesses are such professors? And what 
deliverances from the power of sin can be expected 
where Christ is not known as a Savior from sin? 

Secondly, we need a witnessing church, one that 
knows the truth and has experienced its saving 
power. We need a church whose faith does not 
stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of 



Sermon I 



235 



God, a church that knows whom it has believed, 
that has passed from death unto life, a church that 
has presented its body a living sacrifice, holy, 
acceptable unto God which is its reasonable ser- 
vice, a church that is not conformed to the world, 
but is transformed by the renewing of its mind 
that it may prove what is that good and perfect 
will of God. Such a church is a commendation of 
religion that skepticism cannot resist. Such living 
witnesses to our religion will do more to convert 
sinners from the error of their ways than all the 
sermons ever drawn from German philosophy. 

Ye shall have power. Has it come upon you? 
If not, wait for it. It is your privilege to have it. 
God gives it without measure. To him that be- 
lieveth, all things are possible. 



SERMON II. 



Luke 19:10 — "For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save 
that which is lost," 

Our text is the reason why our Lord was the 
guest of Zaccheus. Jesus of Nazareth in His 
search for the lost, passed through Jericho. There 
was one, who was chief among a despised class, 
who had a strong desire to see Him. To gratify 
this desire, he climbed into a sycamore tree and 
seated himself upon one of the branches. When a 
person is in earnest to see Jesus, you will see him 
use just the means to accomplish his object. 
Christ knew his state of mind and looking up, said 
to him, "Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; 
for to-day I must abide at thy house." "And he 
made haste, and came down, and received Him 
joyfully. And when they saw it, they all mur- 
mured, saying, That He was gone to be guest with 
a man that was a sinner." 

As He entered Zaccheus' house, what a blessing 
He brought with Him! "This day is salvation 
come to this house," for this man is a child of the 

covenant; he is Abraham's son. This is my mis- 

236 



Sermon n 



237 



sion. "I am come to seek and to save that which 
was lost." Zaccheus was a lost man, but now he 
has salvation. He now acts like a new man. He 
did love money, was grasping after the world; he 
now divides with Christ and His poor. More: if 
anything that I call mine own was obtained by 
false accusation, I restore fourfold. They all 
murmured that He had gone to be guest with such 
a man. The Friend of sinners thought He was 
doing the very work for which He came into the 
world, to seek and save just such sinners as 
Zaccheus. 

Prejudice against certain classes in society is a 
great barrier to doing good. If the Son of Man 
had to meet it in seeking and saving the lost, all 
that engage in like work will have like obstacles to 
encounter. It matters not how penitent a sinner 
may be or how much he is disposed to do right and 
make restitution for the wrongs he may have done, 
he has done thus and so, or she has done thus and 
this — we cannot receive them into our circle, they 
must not be admitted to our society. Why! they 
live in such a street; none of the better classes 
live in that part of town; they cannot maintain our 
style; they cannot pay pew rent in our church; 
they will be like pauper members if they come 
among us. There are others who say, Why 
attempt to build up churches among that class of 



238 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



society? They will have to be carried by the 
boards of the church. We meet all this prejudice 
against the poor, and these distinctions that the 
"tony" ones would introduce into the church of 
the living God, with the words of the text: "The 
Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which 
was lost." 

The question is this: Shall we leave men and 
women in their sins to corrupt themselves with 
their vices and sink deeper and still deeper into all 
the evils that sin and misery bring upon the human 
family, or shall we go to them with the gospel, the 
Sabbath School and God's appointed means, to 
lift them from the horrible pit and the miry clay 
and set their feet upon the rock and start them in 
the race for immortality and eternal life? We take 
the latter alternative decidedly. Our Lord made 
no distinction in persons. It was the lost whom 
He came to seek and save. It mattered not 
whether it was a paralytic who had to be borne of 
four, or he who had laid at the pool of Bethesda 
for thirty and eight years, or the leper who was by 
the law of Moses ceremonially unclean and so loath- 
some that he was shut out from society, or the 
adulterous woman taken in the very act, the blind 
beggar or the rich publican. His mission was to 
seek and save them because they were lost. 

What is lost? The soul! In what sense is the 



Sermon n 



239 



soul lost? Not the loss of existence. The sentence 
upon the first transgressors was, "Dying, thoushalt 
die." Death in sin is to suffer a living death. The 
rich man in hell, as he lifted up his eyes and called 
for water, gives us a literal idea of a death in sin. 
"Tormented in this flame," was his expression of 
it. "These shall go away into everlasting punish- 
ment." Such is the loss of the soul whom Jesus 
is seeking to save. The loss is of well-being, the 
loss of the object of our being. What is the chief 
end of man? Not to get greenbacks, or bonds, 
and so on. It is "to glorify God and to enjoy Him 
forever." To be lost is to be cast away as when a 
vessel is lost at sea, wrecked, stranded, sunk like 
lead in the mighty waters. To be lost is to be 
ruined, undone, utterly perish. 

There are two ideas involved in the term "lost": 

First, The loss of all the good that the soul is 
capable of enjoying in this life and also in that 
which is to come. 

Second, The loss of pardon. Guilt is the una- 
voidable attendant of the sinner. "There is no 
peace, saith my God, to the wicked." Pardon blots 
out sin and removes all consciousness of guilt and 
restores the life of God to the soul. The loss of 
the soul is the loss of this pardon. 

It is the loss of holiness without which no man 
shall see God in peace. It is the loss of a crown 



240 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



of glory, the palm of victory, of an inheritance in- 
corruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away. 
To be lost is to be shut out of heaven, to be shut 
off from hope. It is the loss of all good and the 
endurance of all evil and misery which the soul is 
capable of suffering. Who can tell how much this 
is? We know that sin and misery are in close 
proximity to each other. Misery is the outgrowth 
of sin. They go hand in hand. No one knows 
what a soul endures in this world under the lashings 
of conscience and the corrodings of guilt. What a 
loss to be where there is no eye to pity, no cordial 
to relieve, no ray of hope to cheer, where justice 
and self-condemning guilt consign the lost soul to 
the perdition of the ungodly! Such is the loss of 
the soul. Dear hearer, the loss of your soul is your 
own loss, your own voluntary act. The terrible 
truth that will pierce the soul with the keenest an- 
guish, is, I have destroyed myself! Who can cal- 
culate the loss of one soul, or what shall a man 
give in exchange for his soul! It is an irreparable 
loss. A person may lose his health and by years of 
great care recover it again. He may lose property; 
years of toil and economy will restore it. He may 
lose friends, but others may be raised up to fill 
their places. But the soul — there is no replacing 
that loss. If Christ be lost to you there is no 
Savior for you. What a loss, not for a life-time, 



Sermon n 



241 



not for a century, but for eternity ! It is this word 
eternity that makes hell so terrible and heaven so 
desirable. 

The mission of Christ is to save us from all that 
is terrible in hell. He saved Zaccheus and showed 
his sympathy for him by being a guest at his house. 
That He might seek and save us He came as the 
Son of Man. He was both God and man. As 
God He gave Himself a ransom for us. As the Son 
of Man He knows us and is in full sympathy with 
every lost soul. Though rich, for our sakes He 
became poor. Though the omnipotent God, He 
became as a little child. Thus He entered into all 
the relations of life that He might become a sym- 
pathizing High Priest. He came seeking and saving 
the lost. The soul of the poor beggar was just as 
precious to Him as the soul of Dives. Of the rich 
it is said, How hardly shall they enter into the 
kingdom. The rich young nobleman, when affec- 
tionately told by our Lord what he must do to 
inherit eternal life, turned away sorrowful, for he 
had great possessions. When the rich are pro- 
fessedly converted, they never do as much good as 
those who have been trained up from youth in the 
benevolence of the gospel. What did William B. 
Astor in his life time do for Christ? There is no 
record that he did anything for the Lord Jesus. 
His sons were unwilling that his name should be 



242 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



lost and conceived the idea of building in Trinity 
Church an altar as a memorial that such a man 
once lived in the city of New York. Wm. E. Dodge 
will not need such an altar. He will live in the 
grateful hearts of thousands who have felt his in- 
fluence for God. There is one difficulty in professed 
conversion of some rich men. They do not feel 
the necessity of taking their pocket-books to their 
baptism. Wealth thus consecrated may be used 
for the glory of God and for the spread of the 
saving knowledge of Christ. 

It is the poor that receive the gospel as good 
tidings of great joy. But under the state of things 
which has been growing in many of our churches 
within the last twenty-five years, too many of the 
poor are shut out from the privileges of the gospel 
in all our towns and cities. I mean that system 
which demands the pew-rentals must sustain the 
running expenses of the congregation. This system 
puts every minister in a wrong relation to his people. 
What is the real question where the minister is 
held responsible for sustaining the running expense 
of the congregation? Dollars and cents, not the 
salvation of sinners. In the first place, he must 
please the people in order to draw. But the 
friendship of the world is enmity with God. The 
crowd said, Not this man, but Barabbas! In the 
second place, the system substitutes financial sue- 



Sermon n 



243 



cess for a spiritual growth and the power of the 
Holy Ghost in the church. Christ did not say that 
ye should receive power after your minister has 
drawn a full house and every seat is rented. But, 
"ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost 
is come upon you." Give me the power of the 
Holy Ghost and there will be no difficulty in run- 
ning a church. In the third place, it deprives a 
minister of his office as an ambassador of Christ. 
An ambassador receives his instructions from the 
government that commissions him. He is in 
Christ's stead. Take up My mission where I left 
it when I went up on high. He is Christ's minis- 
ter. He must go to Christ for a message. When 
he has put his ear so near to the mouth of Christ 
that he has received a message from Christ, let him 
speak as one who is commissioned from God. If 
he has a dream, let him tell it as a dream. Such 
is the minister who is in Christ's stead. Such an 
one in seeking the lost. How many ministers there 
are who act as if the word "seek" were not in the 
text! Seek the lost if you would save him. 
Rescue the perishing. Down deep in the human 
heart there may be some chords that sin has not 
destroyed. Go then where there is a lost one. Go 
in Christ's name and in His strength. If you save 
him there will be joy in the presence of the angels 
of God. Their joy will not rise and fall in propor- 



244 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



tion to the greenbacks or bonds that he may have 
to his credit. Their joy is that a soul is saved, 
that another star is added to the crown and diadem 
of Jesus, that in another soul eternal life has 
sprung up. There are those who profess to be 
seeking to save souls who act as if none but the 
large fish are worth taking out of the gospel net. 

What interest gathers around that scene where 
the penitent soul offers his prayer in broken accents 
for mercy. God rises from His royal seat and 
bends His ear to catch the first penitential utter- 
ance. Jesus is there, interceding with the Father. 
The Holy Ghost is there convincing of sin and of 
righteousness and of the judgment. Angels are 
there on poised wing ready to carry the welcome 
news that the dead is alive. There is no other 
point where such interest clusters. It is not asked 
whether he is rich or poor, but whether he is peni- 
tent. If penitent, then says Jesus, You are the one 
I am seeking; I am come to reconstruct you for 
heaven and glory. What a work Jesus does for 
that man ! He was lost to his family, to society 
and to happiness. The Son of Man has saved him. 
Look at him now. He sits at Jesus' feet in his 
right mind. His wife rejoices, his children rejoice, 
his neighbors rejoice and exclaim, "Great is the 
work!" None but the Son of God could do such a 
work. Angels rejoice that it is done and all heaven 



Sermon it 



rejoices that another soul is saved through the blood 
of the Lamb. Such is the mission of the Son of 
Man. 

As an ambassador of Christ I am here in His stead 
to seek and save the lost among you. It may be 
there are some dear children who want to be saved. 
Or there may be some one here who has an un- 
saved husband who feels that she has not done all 
she could to save him. Let me encourage all such 
in faith. 

There is not an unsaved person in this congrega- 
tion whom Jesus is not seeking to save and to do 
it now. He has saved some of your dear friends. 
They are before the throne of God, having washed 
their robes and made them white in the blood of 
the Lamb. Behold now is your time; now is the 
day of your salvation. 



I 



SERMON III. 



Matthew 9:24 — "For the maid is not dead, but sleepeth." 

Our severest and most relenting foe should be 
called by a soft name. The entrance of the king 
of terrors to any of our dwellings always brings the 
most appalling results. Yet when we are taught 
from the sacred Scriptures to look upon his most 
fearful ravages as a sleep, it mitigates much of the 
terror that this stern foe always brings. Conse- 
quently the writers of both sacred and profane 
history have united in designating death as a sleep. 
For example, the writers of the books of Kings 
and Chronicles in speaking of the death of the Kings 
of Israel represent them as sleeping with their 
fathers. Daniel (12:2) says that many of them 
that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake. 
Our Lord, in the eleventh chapter of John's 
Gospel, speaking of the death of Lazarus, says 
"Our friend Lazarus sleepeth." The writer of the 
Acts of the Apostles in recording the death of the 
first Christian martyr says that he fell asleep. 
These passages show how the word was used by 

246 



Sermon ill 



247 



the sacred writers and will enable us to determine 
how it was used by Christ in the text. It cannot 
by supposed that Christ used it in a literal sense, 
for there is every evidence that the maid was dead. 
So confident of this fact were the friends and by- 
standers that when our Lord affirmed that the maid 
only slept, they laughed Him to scorn, supposing 
that He meant only the repose of the body. Christ 
acted upon the understanding that she was actually 
dead. 

There was now presented an opportunity to over- 
throw the fallacy of the doctrine of the Sadducees 
who denied the resurrection of the body. The 
maid's father was a Sadducee. He looked upon 
the death of his daughter as the end of her being. 
She had ceased to be. Our Lord sought to re- 
move from his mind this soul-chilling doctrine by 
the use of the term sleep. He sought to convey 
to this father's mind that death is but the repose 
of the body, that though there had been a separa- 
tion of the soul and the body there was not the 
destruction of either, that by a word He could 
awake the body to life as a word would arouse the 
sleeper to a state of consciousness. 

The meaning, then, of this interesting passage 
is this: Our deceased friends have not ceased to 
exist. Though their bodies are dead, their spirits 
live and their bodies sleep in hope of resurrection. 



248 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



The two points that I call you to contemplate 
on this occasion are, the immortality of the soul 
and the resurrection of the body. 

I. Mankind of all ages have believed the truth 
that the soul is to live beyond th*is state of being. 
The reasons of this belief were not clear nor well 
defined by ancient philosophers. Yet the belief 
existed with them. They looked upon the soul of 
man as a mighty river, the track of which they 
could follow from region to region and from land 
to land, but which at last enters into some deep 
and embowered wood. The wood was so thick 
and the forest so dense that they could follow it no 
further, but they knew that the river continued its 
course by its furious roar. The heathen could 
trace the soul of man to the death of the body. 
They could go no further in their observations. 
But when it entered that bourne from whence no 
traveler returns, they saw enough to convince 
them that its existence must run on through end- 
less ages. They reasoned thus: The only wise 
God never acts without reason and design worthy 
of Himself. Is it conceivable that He would have 
made man so wonderful, so stupendous in his 
capacities and powers, if He had not intended that 
he should exist longer than three score years and 
ten? Would the vessel have been so richly freighted 
if He, who was the maker of that vessel and its 



Sermon ill 



freight, had determined it should become a total 
wreck as soon as it had sailed across the stream, 
the narrow stream, of time? Pagans could not 
believe this. 

If the spirit of man is not immortal, why this 
strong desire of perpetuity among men? What 
mean those ancient piles erected over the dust of 
the great who have lived? Why do you see on 
the stones that mark the place where our loved ones 
sleep those memorials engraved? Is this not an in- 
dication of man's belief in immortality? No one, 
however humble his station, wishes to be forgotten. 
No one wishes to be blotted out of being. 

Again there is the desire after endless existence. 
And do you think that He who formed us would 
have given us this desire after a thing while that 
thing itself is altogether deceptive and unreal? In 
addition to this, we all know from what we feel 
in ourselves that this cannot be the native region 
of the soul, that this world is not the home of the 
soul, that here it does not find anything congenial 
to its nature or that is equal to its cravings and 
capacities. It was obviously formed for a good 
that this world does not contain. It seeks for a 
higher and nobler state — immortality. 

Let me ask the man who denies the immortality 
of the soul whether he knows that it is not immor- 
tal. Has he ever demonstrated that fact that he 



250 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

is to cease to be and cease to think? Has he ever 
looked behind the curtain that separates between 
time and eternity and there seen the inhabitants 
of past ages reposing alike in one eternal sleep, or 
does he know that the spirit of man goes downward 
with that of the beast? Till such have traced the 
wondrous flight of the spirit as it leaves the body 
and have demonstrated to the world by as many 
incontestable truths that it ceases to be as those 
upon which immortality rests, we shall still believe 
in the consoling doctrine of the soul's endless ex- 
istence. 

What an overwhelming and yet consoling 
thought, that we are always to be, that we have 
commenced an existence that is commensurate with 
eternity, that the soul shall live when all created 
things shall die! For this truth well defined and 
fully established we are indebted to the Holy 
Scriptures. They have brought life and immortality 
to light. They chase away the gloom of the grave 
and assure us that beyond it there is a world 
wherein dwelleth righteousness. They reveal to 
us this consolation: "Blessed are the dead which 
die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, said the 
Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and 
their works do follow them." They enter into a 
state of rest at death. They are blessed at death. 
From henceforth, saith the Spirit. Jesus Christ 



Sermon ill 



assured the penitent thief as he hung upon the 
cross that that day he should be with Him in 
Paradise. Then from that day he was blessed. 
Paradise, we understand to be the blissful state of 
sanctified souls. On that day he should be with 
Him in Paradise, the home of sanctified souls. 

The apostle John in the vision of glory that he 
saw on Patmos was permitted to look into heaven 
and learn the state and employments of those who 
are counted worthy to enter through the gates into 
the celestial city. In speaking of those who had 
washed their robes and made them white in the 
blood of the Lamb, he tells us they are before the 
throne of God and serve Him day and night. The 
congregation never breaks up; the Sabbath has no 
end. It is one ceaseless round of the worship of 
God. 

Perhaps there is no passage in the Bible that 
more clearly establishes the existence of the soul 
after death than that found in the sixteenth chapter 
of Luke in the account of the rich man and Lazarus. 
Whatever else this passage proves or does not 
prove, it establishes beyond a doubt that the spirit 
of both the righteous and the wicked enter imme- 
diately upon a future state of being and that they 
are happy and miserable in that state according as 
they have been righteous or wicked in this world. 
"And it came to pass that the beggar died and was 



252 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 

carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom." The 
Jews had no doubt but that Abraham was in Para- 
dise. To say that the beggar was in his bosom 
was the same as to say that Lazarus was in heaven. 
"The rich man also died and was buried, and in 
hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and 
seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." 
He had a distinct recognition of Lazarus. He 
also retained the power of memory, for Abraham 
called upon him to remember some thing, to-wit, 
that in this life he received his good things and 
Lazarus his evil things; now Lazarus was com- 
forted, and he was tormented. 

Is not this clearly in accordance with the princi- 
ples of God's mortal government? "Say ! to the 
righteous that it shall be well with him; for they 
shall eat the fruit of their doings." But "woe unto 
the wicked it shall be ill with him; for the reward 
of his hands shall be given unto him." 

Both reason and revelation establish the future 
existence of the soul, that it has entered upon an 
eternal state, that it is to live and sing as angels 
do or it is to suffer the wrath of God forever, and 
that these tremendous results are suspended upon 
the moral characters that we form in this world. 
With the righteous it shall be well. He has a 
character that fits him for the society and employ- 
ment of heaven. He is prepared to praise God 



Ser??ton ill 



253 



and the Lamb. With the wicked it is ill. His 
character fits him for no other state. 

II. We are taught that the bodies of our de- 
ceased friends sleep in hope of the resurrection. 
The spirit, disenthralled from the body, we have 
seen is active in the spirit land. The body is no 
less under the watchful care of Him who is the 
Resurrection and the Life. He, having risen from 
the dead and become the first fruits of them that 
slept, has given the assurance that as death has 
passed upon all because all have sinned, so the 
resurrection power shall be imparted to all that 
sleep. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ 
shall all be made alive. But every man in his 
own order; Christ the first fruits, afterward they 
that are Christ's at His coming." "For the Lord 
Himself shall descend in the clouds of heaven with 
a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with 
the trump of God;" and "all that are in the graves 
shall hear His voice and shall come forth; they 
that have done good unto the resurrection of life, 
and they that have done evil unto the resurrection 
of damnation." It matters not where we sleep or 
where our friends may repose; whether in sculptured 
marble or beneath the cold clods of the valley, or 
whether the deep blue waters have sung your 
requiem as they have rolled their mountain waves 
over your coral bed, or whether you lie beneath 



254 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



the polar snows of Siberia or are covered by the 
burning sands of Africa, or whether you fall where 
no kind hand may present itself to convey your 
body to the grave and your body is left to return 
to dust and your bones to bleach beneath a tropic 
sun — wherever you are, God will watch over all 
your dust till He shall bid it rise. "For this corrup- 
tion must put on incorruption and this mortal must 
put on immortality. So when this corruptible 
shall have put on incorruption and this mortal shall 
have put on immortality, then shall be brought to 
pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed 
up in victory." Death, the last foe, will then have 
been conquered and the soul reunited with the body 
will enter upon the scenes of the judgment, to 
meet the favor or frown of its Judge. 

Why then should the Christian fear the sleep of 
death? It is a blessed sleep from which none ever 
wake to weep. When the Christian shall awake in 
the morning of the resurrection, he will have done 
with all weeping. All tears shall be forever wiped 
away. There is no sickness, no dying, in that 
better land. 

"Eye hath not seen it, my gentle boy, 
Ear hath not heard its deep tones of joy, 
Dreams cannot picture a world so fair, 
Sorrow and death may not enter there; 
Time does not breathe on its fadeless bloom, 
Far beyond the cloud, and beyond the tomb, 
It is there." 



Sermon ill 



255 



Death is the gate through which the Christian 
enters the better land. Why then dread to enter 
there? Jesus hath tasted death. He hath lain in 
the grave and He hath triumphed over it. So if 
we sleep in Him, we, too, shall triumph over death 
and the grave. For "when He who is our life shall 
appear, we shall also appear with Him in glory." 

"O glorious hour! O blest abode! 

I shall be near and like my God; 
And flesh and sense no more control 

The sacred pleasures of the soul." 

We see that this subject is full of consolation to 
those who are called to bury friends. And who 
hath not lost a friend? There is no threshold so 
sacred that this insatiate foe dare not enter. Whose 
heart hath not bled as we have seen death with 
fatal dart pierce our loved ones? Death may strike 
them down. He may paint his pallid features on 
their once rosy cheeks. Yet after all that he does, 
he has only laid them down to sleep. Our Lord 
and Savior will spoil him of his prey and chain him 
to His triumphal car. Therefore when our friends 
close their eyes in death, let us not look upon 
them as having ceased to exist. If they have left 
behind them a hope that centered in the Lord Jesus 
Christ and have purified their hearts and brought 
forth good fruits, then have they only ceased from 
labors here below to enter upon a more exalted 



256 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



state above. Let as believe that He who is the 
Resurrection arid the Life will watch over their dust 
and ere long adorn it with incorruption, and, re- 
united with the soul, it will enter upon a participa- 
tion of the glories of heaven. Death looked upon 
thus will be the grave of our sorrows and the gate 
way to the skies. 



APPENDIX. 



Following is the charter adopted by the Trustees 
at the first meeting. 

CHARTER OF PARK COLLEGE. 

I. Know all men by these presents, that we, 
Geo. S. Park, &c. , do hereby agree to form our- 
selves into a body corporate according to the 
Constitution and Laws of the State of Missouri, 
to be known as the "Board of Trustees of Park 
College," located at or near Parkville, Missouri, 
to consist of not more than twenty-five members. 
As a body Corporate they shall have perpetual 
succession, and a common seal. They shall have 
full power to manage the institution, to receive 
gifts of money, property, &c, to preserve, to 
secure and appropriate them according to the pro- 
visions of this Charter, and the will of the donors, 
for the use of Park College. They shall devise 
means and take measures to endow the institution 
in all its departments. 

The principles of the College shall be non-sec- 
tarian, but evangelical, imbued with the spirit of 

Christian liberty and charity. 

257 



258 Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



The object of this Corporation shall ever be to 
diffuse knowledge, moral and religious principles, 
in the most practical and effectual manner; to 
afford the advantages of training and education to 
the youth of both sexes of the West and South- 
west, to give especially facilities to youth found 
worthy and not having sufficient means, who may 
be inured to hardship, acquainted, and in sympathy 
with the people among whom they are to live and 
labor, to obtain an education by labor, or otherwise; 
thus offering a safe and unlimited opportunity to 
the patriotic and benevolent to assist in this great 
work, by their donations and endowments. 

II. 1 st. To secure the above objects, there 
shall be daily Bible readings and expositions, with 
lectures and practical training for evangelical vvork, 
especially adapted to those who propose to devote 
their lives to such work in the various forms of 
preaching, lecturing and teaching. 

2nd. There shall be Normal Sabbath School 
instruction, concentrating and applying the daily 
Bible readings and lecturing in the form of a model 
Sabbath School, fitting students for their work. 
This work shall include instruction as to the best 
methods of approaching and interesting children 
and youth in the subject of religion, accompanied 
by weekly reports of those students practically 
engaged in Christian labors of their most successful 



Appendix 



259 



methods, together with the passages of Scripture 
best adapted to reach individual minds. 

3rd. There shall be a full course of instruction 
in Science, Literature, and Art as taught in the 
best Colleges as far as the funds will permit. 

4th. In the Male department there shall be 
taught agriculture, business management, skilled 
labor and practical wisdom. 

5th. In the Female department, in addition to 
any of the previous course of study they may select, 
or the faculty prescribe, there shall be taught 
household and domestic duties, and management, 
and culinary arts, accompanied with regular prac- 
tical and skilled labor and wise arts required in 
American homes. This practical work is designed 
to benefit the College and the students. The 
males by farm, garden and culinary arts, contribute 
largely to their own support while gaining knowl- 
edge of the useful pursuits of life, and more perfect 
health. 

It is designed to educate by practice, training 
and doing, as well as by teaching, and these de- 
partments of skilled labor, science, literature, and 
art, shall be under the supervision and direction 
of the most competent instructors that the funds 
of the College will permit the Trustees to employ. 

III. 1st. The Board of Trustees shall have 
power to fill vacancies that may occur in the Board 



26o 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



of Trustees, by death, resignation, refusal to act 
or otherwise, or to remove from office, and appoint 
in their place, any Trustee, the President, or any 
member of the* Faculty, or agent, for misconduct, 
or failure to do duty, or undue neglect of the 
interests of the institution. 

2nd. The Board of Trustees are hereby for- 
bidden to contract any debts against the corpora- 
tion, or to mortgage the property of the College 
proper, or to do any act to erect a lien upon or in- 
cumber any property given, or purchased or vested 
in it in trust or otherwise, but shall hold inviolate 
all furniture, stock, assets, lands, buildings, 
moneys, or endowment funds, professorships, 
scholarships, or other funds, preserving them in 
perpetuity, using only furniture, stock, lands, and 
buildings, and the interest of the funds, handling 
them down to their successors forever; and all 
claims against the above-named property or corpo- 
ration shall be void in law; and any trustee voting 
or acting against this provision of the Charter, or 
any other officer or agent, shall not in any way 
legally bind the Board of Trustees or the institu- 
tion. They have superceded their authority and 
can only assume individual and personal responsi- 
bility, and the Record of this Charter in Platte 
County, Missouri, shall be legal notice thereof to 
all. 



Appendix 



261 



3rd. The Board of Trustees shall have over- 
sight, approval and direction of all endowment 
funds, of all real estate and personal property, and 
of all loans made of them. They may invest in 
United States bonds with interest payable semi- 
annually, or they may loan on unencumbered real 
estate, with a clear transcript of title and if build- 
ings are included in the valuation, such buildings 
must be insured, and the insurance assigned, valued 
in cash at more than double the amount, taking 
also good personal security with it, and a mortgage 
or deed of trust with power of sale in default of 
any payment of principal or interest when due, 
and no member of the Board shall be received as 
security of the Treasurer or for loans of the funds 
of the Corporation. 

4th. It is the earnest desire of the friends of 
this institution that it be established and built up 
by wisdom, and stand forever, and go on improving 
like the older institutions of Europe and America. 
To accomplish this purpose it is suggested that the 
Board of Trustees look most critically into the way 
things are going, and make wise provisions for 
future contingencies; if any Trustee neglects such 
care and caution request him to resign and appoint 
another. It is a positive wrong to be indulgent to 
incapacity or inefficiency, to idleness, wastefulness 
or any other unfitness. Let the eyes of these guard- 



262 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



ians pierce every nook and corner and thereby 
insure wise and skilful management of the Institu- 
tion. Let them provide the best instructors and 
make the best provisions for the institution their 
funds will permit, going no futher. Let them stop 
all leaks, stir up the indolent, get honest work 
done, and make purchases as far as practical, when 
prices are lowest, for, "There is a time to get." In 
summer prepare and lay up for winter. Let them 
secure every trust, promptly discharge every trustee, 
officer, agent or employee, and have the business, 
work and instruction done by as few men and at 
as small a cost as possible, consistent with the true 
interests of the institution, without favor or par- 
tiality, remembering that the Lord's work be done 
better than our own. 

5th. The Board of Trustees also shall have 
power to take any measures or do any acts they 
may think proper for the interests of the College 
not forbidden in this instrument. They may ap- 
point agents to canvas for funds, they may sell and 
convey by deed or otherwise any outlying lands 
or personal property except those lands and per- 
sonal property used by the institution in or near 
Parkville, Mo., which are to be preserved in per- 
petuity. 

6th. The Board of Trustees may appoint an 
advisory committee, who, with the Faculty, shall 



A ppendix 



263 



have the general control and supervision of the 
College ad interim, subject to the approval of the 
Board and in consistency with the provisions of 
this Charter and the By Laws that may be enacted. 

The Rev. John A. McAfee in consequence of his 
unwearied labors and ability as an instructor of 
youth is hereby declared the permanent President 
of the College. He, and his successors in office 
shall make a report annually oroftenerif required, 
to the Board of Trustees of the conditions and prog- 
ress of the College. 

7th. The Board of Trustees shall meet at the 
College on Tuesday, the 24th day of June, A. D. 
1879, and thereafter, each year at such times as 
they may decide. They may adjourn from time to 
time till they have a quorum. The President of 
the Board may, and at the call of five members 
shall, call a meeting of the Board at any time, giving 
ten days' notice of such meeting in writing, to each 
member, addressed to his P. O. 

A majority of all the members shall constitute a 
quorum. At the first meeting, such quorum being 
present, they shall at once proceed to elect a Pres- 
ident of the Board, a Secretary and Treasurer, 
and such other officers, agents and Faculty as the 
means of the College will permit. 

They shall keep full records of all proceedings of 
the intstiution and shall make an annual report to 
the Board, or oftener if required. 



264 



Fifty Years on the Skirmish Line 



The Treasurer shall give collateral and personal 
security in more than double the amount that may 
come into his hands and give additional security 
from time to time as the Board may require. He 
shallonly pay out money on order of the Board, and 
he shall make an annual report of the moneys re- 
ceivedand paid out and on hand, and the financial 
condition of the institution, or oftener if required. 

8th. The Board of Trustees shall have power 
to frame a code of By-laws, also adopt the Curric- 
ulum of Study, and change the same in any manner 
not inconsistent with this instrument, and grant 
upon recommendation of the Faculty, Literary and 
Honorary Degrees. 



Important Missionary Publications. 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHN G. PATON. Missionary to the 
New Hebrides. Introductory note by Arthur T. Pierson, D.D. 
2 vols., 12rno., portrait and map, in neat box, $2.00 net. 
One of the most remarkable biographies of modern times. 

"I have just laid down the most robust and the most fascinating piece of auto- 
biography that I have met with in many a day It is the story of the 

wonderful work wrought by John G. Paton, the famous missionary to the New 
Hebrides; he was made of the same stuff with Livingstone." — T. L. Ccyler. 

"It stands with such books as those Dr. Livingstone gave the world, and 
shows to men that the heroes of the cross are not merely to be sought in past 
ages," — Christian Intelligencer. 

THE LIFE OF JOHN KENNETH MACKENZIE. Medical 
Missionary to China ; with the story of the First Chinese Hospital 
by Mrs. Bryson, author of "Child Life in Chinese Homes," etc. 
12mo., cloth, 400 pages, price $1.50 with portrait in photogravure. 

"The story of a singularly beautiful life, sympathetically and ably written. 
. . . . A really helpful, elevating book."— London Missionary Chronicle. 

"The volume records much that is fresh and interesting bearing on Chinese 
customs and manners as seen and vividly described by a missionary who had 
ample opportunities of studying them under most varied circumstances and 
conditions." — Scotsman. 

THE GREATEST WORK IN THE WORLD. The Evangeliza- 
tion of all Peoples in the Present Century. By Rev. Arthur T. 
Pierson, D.D. 12mo., leatherette, gilt top, 35c. 

The subject itself is an inspiration, but this latest production of Dr. Pierson 
thrills with the life which the Master Himself has imparted to it. It will be a 
welcome addition to Missionary literature. 

THE CRISIS OF MISSIONS. By Rev. Arthur T. Pierson, D.D. 
Cloth, $1.25 ; paper, 35c. 

" We do not hesitate to say that this book is the most purposeful, earnest and 
intelligent review of the mission work and field which has ever been given to the 
Church." — Christian Statesman. 

MEDICAL MISSIONS. Their Place and Power. By John Lowe, 
F. R. C. S. E., Secretary of the Edinburgh Medical Mission Society. 
12mo., 308 pages, cloth, $1.50. 
"This book contains an exhaustive account of the benefits that may, and in 

point of fact do, accrue from the use of the medical art as a Christian agency. Mr. 

Lowe is eminently qualified to instruct us in this matter, having himself been so 

long engaged in the same field."— From Introduction by Sir William Muir. 

ONCE HINDU : NOW CHRISTIAN. The early life of Baba 
Padmanji. Translated from the Marathi. Edited by J. Murray Mit- 
chell, M. A., LLD. 12mo., 155 pasjes, with appendix. Cloth, 75c. 
"A more instructive or more interesting narrative of a human soul, once held 

firmly in the grip of oriental superstition, idolatry and caste, gradually emerging 

into the light, liberty and peace of a regenerate child of God, does not often come 

to hand." — Missionary Herald. 

AN INTENSE LIFE. By George F. Herrick. A sketch of the life 
and work of Rev. Andrew T. Prattt, M.D., Missionary of the A. B. 
C. F. M., in Turkey, 1852-1872. 16mo., cloth, 50c 



new york. : : Fleming H. Resell Company : ■ Chicago. 



Important Missionary Publications 

(Continued.} 



EVERY-DAY LIFE IN SOUTH INDIA, or, the Story of Coopoc- 
swanie\. An Autobiography. With fine engravings by E. Whym- 
per. i2mo., cloth, $1.00. 

THE CHILDREN OF INDIA. Written for children by one of 

their friends. Illustrations and map. Small 4to., cloth, $1,25. 
"These are good books for the Sunday-School Library, and will help young 
people in missionary societies who desire to have an intelligent idea of the people 
in India whom they are sending their money and their missionaries to convert." — 

Missionary Herald. 

HINDUISM, PAST AND PRESENT. With an account of recent 
Hindu reformers, and a brief comparison between Hinduism and 
Christianity. By J. Murray Mitchell, M.A., LLD. 12mo., cloth, 
$1.60. 

"A praiseworthy attempt to present a popular view of a Vast and important 

g ubject.''— Saturday Review. 

GOSPEL ETHNOLOGY. With illustrations. By S. R. Paterson, 
F. G. S. 12mo, cloth., $1.00. 
" The first attempt to treat this subject from a thorough-going scientific stand- 
point. A very powerful argument for the truth of Christianity. "—English Church- 
man. 

"A book to refer to for information not easily to be obtained otherwise.— 

Church Missionary Intelligencer. 

NATIVE LIFE IN SOUTH INDIA. Being sketches of the social 

and religious characteristics of the Hindus. By the Rev. Henry 
Rice. With many illustrations from native sketches. 12mo., cloth 
boards, $1.00. 

" Those who have heard Mr. Rice's missionary addressed Will be prepared to 
hear that this is a fascinating book." — Life cmd Work. 

CHRISTIAN PROGRESS IN CHINA. Gleaning? fsom the writ- 
ings and speaches of many workers. By Arnold Foster, B.A., 
London Missionary, Hankow. With map of China. 12mo., cloth, 
$1.00. 

AMONG THE MONGOLS. By Rev. James Gilmour, M.A., London 

Mission, Peking. Numerous engravings from photographs and 
native sketches. 12mo., gilt edges, cloth, $1.00. 

"The newness and value of the book consists solely in its Defoe quality, that 
when you have read it you know, and will never forget, all Mr. Gilmour knowa 

and tells of how Mongols live." — Spectator. 

EVERY-DAY LIFE IN CHINA, or, Scenes along River and Road 
in the Celestial Empire. By Edwin J. Dukes. Illustrations from 
the author's sketches. 12mo., with embellished cover, $2.00. 
That China is a mysterious problem to all who interest themselves in its **Fair« 

is the only excuse for offering another book on the subject. 



new york. ;: Fleming H. Resell Compamj : : cmc^eo. 



Popular Missionary Biographies. 

i2mo, 160 pages. Fully illustrated; cloth extra, 75 cents each. 



Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, 
jmtes: 

" Crowded with facts 
that both interest and in- 
spire, we can conceive of 
no better plan to spread 
the Missionary spirit than 
the multiplying of such 
biographies; and we 
would specially commend 
this series to those who 
have the management of 
libraries and selection of 
prizes in our Sunday 
Schools." 




From The Missionary 
Herald : 

"We commended this 
series in our last issue, 
and a further examina- 
tion leads us to renew our 
commendation, and to 
urge the placing of this 
series of missionary books 
in ail our Sabbath-school 
libraries. 

These books are hand- 
somely printed and bound 
and are beautifully illus- 
trated, and we are confi- 
dent that they will prove 
attractive to all young 
people." 

SAMUEL CROWTHER, the Slave Boy who became Bishop of 

the Niger. By Jesse Page, author of " Bishop Patterson." 
THOMAS J. COMBER, Missionary Pioneer to the Congo. By 

Rev. J. B. Myers, Association Secretary Baptist Missionary Society. 
BISHOP PATTESON, the Martyr of Melanesia. By Jesse Page. 
GRIFFITH JOHN, Founder of the Hankow Mission, Central 

China. By Wm. Robson, of the London Missionary Society. 
ROBERT MORRISON, the Pioneer of Chinese Missions. By 

Wm. J. Townsend, Sec. Methodist New Connexion Missionary Soc'y. 
ROBERT MOFFAT, the Missionary Hero of Kuruman. By David 

J. Deane, author of "Martin Luther, the Reformer," etc. 
WILLIAM CAREY, the Shoemaker who became a Missionary. 

By Rev. J. B. Myers, Association Secretary Baptist Missionary Society. 
JAMES CHALMERS, Missionary and Explorer of Rarotonga 

and New Guinea. By Wm. Robson, of the London Missionary Soc'y. 
MISSIONARY LADIES IN FOREIGN LANDS. By Mrs. E. R. 

Pilman, author of " Heroines of the Mission Fields," etc. 
JAMES CALVERT; or, From Dark to Dawn in Fiji. 
JOHN WILLIAMS, the Martyr of Erromanga. By Rev. James 

J. Ellis. 

UNIFORM WITH THE ABOVE. 

JOHN BRIGHT, the Man of the People. By Jesse Page, author of 

" Bishop Patteson," " Samuel Crowther," etc. 
HENRY M. STANLEY, the African Explorer. By Arthur Monte- 

FIORE, F.R.G.S. Brought down to 1889. 
DAVID LIVINGSTON, his Labors and his Legacy. 



CHICAGO: DTTI TT1 IT IT X?D^roTT f^fl NEW YORK : 

148-150 Madison Street. I luUllijl^ Lit IXuVuli UUi 112 Fifth Ave., near i6ih. 



Writings of Rev. F. B. MEYER, B. A. 



Mr. Meger always writes to edification— C. H. SPURGEON. 



OSip!) » Beloved— Hated— Exalted. Cloth, 16 mo., $1.00. 

In the present volume Mr. Meyer retells with skill and pathos the 
old-world story of the Israelitish youth who rose through pit and prison to 
the post of Premier of Egypt; a story of undying interest and worth, not 
only as a true tale of Eastern romance, but as a unique example of the 
value of piety, purity of life and fidelity in service. 



IOTH THOUSAND. 

b t a 1} a ttt t or, The Obedience of Faith. Cloth, 16 mo., $1.00. 

A book we would very heartily commend to those who desire to make 
progress in Christian life and experience; each will find it helpful and sug- 
gestive, sending new light upon many a well-known narrative. — Christian 
Progress. 

The contents of the book before us are such that no one can rise from 
its perusal without feeling consciously strengthened in God and inspired 
afresh for the Godly life. — Sunday-School Chronicle. 

Really a very beautiful work, which will be read with delight by 
many a fireside. After all, this home-like treatment of Scripture biography, 
with the object of bringing out the spiritual lessons, is amongst the highest 
and most profitable studies. — The Freeman. 



13TH THOUSAND. 

T (J 1 1 : A Prince with God. Cloth, 16 mo., $1.00. 



Mr. Meyer ha* great descriptive power. He can tell a narrative 
well. This subject in his hand glows with life, and the scenes and events in 
the history of his hero pass vividly before you, and are ever being used to 
force home some important principle. — British Messenger. 

With a keen .moral insight, and a deep spiritual sympathy, he de- 
scribes the piety and weakness of the best beloved of the Patriarchs. 
— Christian Leader* 

Exceedingly good, not only spiritual, but also thoughtful, fresh, sug- 
gestive and thoroughly practical. — C. H. Spurgeon, in Sword and Trowel. 

From first to last the book is richly suggestive and spiritually fruit- 
ful.— Word and Work. 



15TH THOUSAND, 

Ii| ft I) * and the Secret of his Power Cloth, 16 mo., $1.00. 

The leading object of this volume is to show that Elijah's God is our 
God; and how a like dependence may be ours if our dependence is in the 
living God. It is encouraging and stimulating; yet full of solemn warnings. 
Some parts are grandly written and of thrilling interest. — Footsteps of 
Truth. 

Good, exceedingly good ! Mr. Meyer is a great gain to the armies of 
Evangelical truth; for his tone, spirit and aspirations are all of a fine Gospel 
sort. — Sword and Trowel. 





new york %% Fleming H. Re veil Co. %% Chicago. 



WRITINGS OF REV, F. B. MEYER, B. A. 



^^Wxitb bfl JFiw" Expositions of the First Epistle of Peter. Cloth 
e^ £ ib mo. ,%\.oo. 

We doubt whether any work has appeared since the time of Leighton, 
on the same subject, which equals the one before us. These expositions of 
one of the richest of the Epistles are brightly and beautifully written, and 
infused by a lofty and evangelical Christian spirit — Primitive Methodist. 



2IST THOUSAND. 

A ffile tyxcBtnt Senses of tr)je MeBzeb Cifc Cloth, 32 mo. , 50c. 

We commend the book as one that cannot fail to be read with profit. 
—Evangelical Christendom. 

A gem and brimful of spiritual life — Methodist New Connexion 
Magazine. 



20TH THOUSANDo 

ristian £ ituttg* cioth, 32 mo., 50c. 

Full of sweetness and light. No Christian can read it and fail to 
receive stimulus in the direction whither the true-hearted would go. — Con- 
gregational Magazine. 

Special stress is made in this little volume on the practical side of the 
Christian life. Thoughts calculated to strengthen and inspire in the per- 
formance of every-day duties, are put in clear and simple form. — Advance. 

Tbey prove most refreshing reading; and for the culture of the relig- 
ous life we can recommend nothing better. — Standard. 



I9TH THOUSAND. 

\\z Qljepfiero J3salm. Meditations on the 23 d Psalm, ciotk, 32 



We have never read anything so charming on the Twenty- third 
Psalm. It is full of beauty and poetry. Anything that this gifted and 
spiritual author writes requires no recommendation, as he is well known to 
the Christian public. — Irish Congregational Magazine. 

Mr. Meyer has given us a devotional work on this inspired Psalm 
which every Christian man and woman should not only read but carry about 
in his pocket in order to snatch even amid the busy employment of life an 
uplifting and elevating thought. This little book is worth its weight in 
gold. — Central Baptist. 



Envelope Series of Booklets, by Rev. F. B. Meyer. 

The Chambers of the King. Words of Help for Christian The Lost Chord Found. 
With Christ in Separation. Girls. Why Sign the Pledge? 

Seven Rules for Daily Living. The Filling of the Holy Spirit. The Secret of Power. 
The Secret of Victory over Sin. The Stewardship of Money. Our Bible Reading. 
The First Step into the Blessed Where am I Wrong? The Secret of Guidance. 

Life. Young Man, Don't Drift! Peace, Perfect Peace, 

aoc. per dozen, or $1.50 per 100. 
CHOICE EXTRACTS from writings of F. B. Meyer, 48 pages, 5c. per copy; 35c. dozea. 



new york. :: Fleming H. Revell Co. « Chicago. 



By-Paths of Bible Knowledge. 



•The volumes issuing under the above general title fully deserve suc« 
cess. They have been entrusted to scholars who have a special acquaint- 
ance with the subjects about which they severally treat. " — Atkenceum. 



These books are written by specialists, and their aim is to give the 
results of the latest and best scholarships on questions of Biblical 
history, science and archaeology. The volumes contain much informa- 
tion that is not easily accessible, even to those who have a large 
acquaintance with the higher literature on these subjects. 



IS. Early Bible Songs. 

With introduction on the Nature and Spirit of Hebrew Song, by » 

A. H. Drysdale M. A $1 00 

14. Modern Discoveries on the Site of Ancient Fphesus. 

By J . T. Wood, F. S. A. Illustrated $1 00 

1 3. The Times of Isaiah. 

As illustrated from Contemporary Monuments. By A. H. Sayce, LL. D. .80 
12. The Hittites; or the Story of a Forgotten Empire. 

ByA.H. Sayce, LL. D. Illustrated. Crown, 8vo $128 

11. Animals of the Bible. 

By H. Chichester Hart, Naturalist to Sir G. Nares' Arctic Expedition 
and Professor Hull's Palestine Expedition. Illustrated, Crown, 8vo $1 20 
10. The Trees and Plants Mentioned in the Bible. 

By W. H. Groser, B. Sc. Illustrated $1 00 

9. The Diseases of the Bible. 

By Sir J. Risdon Bennett $100 

8. The Dwellers on the Nile. 

Chapters on the Life, Literature. History and Customs of Ancient 
Egypt. By E. A. Wallis Budge, M. A., Assistant in Department of 

Oriental Antiquities, British Museum. Illustrated $1 20 

T. Assyria; Its Princes, Priests and People. 

By A. H. Sayce, M. A., LL. D., author of "Fresh Light from Ancient 
Monuments," "Introduction to Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther," etc. 

Illustrated $1 20 

6. Egypt and Syria. 

Their Physical Features in Relation to Bible History. By Sir J. W. 
Dawson, Principal of McGill College, Montreal, F. G. 8., F. R. 8., 
author of "The Chain of Life in Geological Time," etc. Second 

edition, revised and enlarged. With many illustrations $120 

5. Galilee in the time of Christ. 

By Selah Merrill, D. D., author of "East of the Jordan," etc. With Map $1 00 
4. Babylonian Life and History. 

By E. A. Willis Budge, M. A., Cambridge, Assistant in the Depart- 
ment of Oriental Antiquities, British Museum, illustrated $120 

8. Becent Discoveries on the Temple Hill at Jerusalem. 
By the Rev. J. King, M. A., Authorized Lecturer for the Palestine 

Exploration Fund. With Maps, Plans and Illustrations $1 00 

%» Fresh Lights From the Ancient Monuments. 

A Sketch of the most striking Confirmations of the Bible from recent 
discoveries in Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Palestine and Asia Minor. 
By A. H. Sayce, LL. D., Deputy Professor of Comparative Philology, 

Oxford, etc. With f ac-similes from photographs $1 28 

1. Cleopatra's Needle. 

History of the London Obelisk, with an Exposition of the Hiero- 
glyphics. By the Rev. J. King, Lecturer for the Palestine Explora- 
tion Fund. With Illustrations - $16t 



148-150 Madison Street. Fleming H. Mell Go. 112 Fifth Ave., near 16th 



REFERENCE BOOKS 

FOR 

BIBLE STUDENTS. 



JAMIESON, FAUSSET & BROWN'S Popular Portable Com- 
mentary. Critical, Practical, Explanatory. Four volumns in neat 
box, fine cloth, $ 8.00; half bound, $10.00. 

A new edition, containing the complete unabridged notes in clear type on good paper, 
in four handsome 12 mo. volumes of about 1.000 pages each, with copious index, numerous 
illustrations and maps, and a Bible Dictionary compiled from Dr. Wm. Smith's standard 
work. 

Bishop Vincent of Chautauqua fame says : " The best condensed commentary on the 
whole Bible is Jamieson, Fausset & Brown." 

CRU DEN'S UNABRIDGED CONCORDANCE TO THE 
HOLY SCRIPTURES. With life of the author. 864 pp., 8vo., 
cloth (net), $1.00; half roan, sprinkled edges (net), 2.00; half roan, 
full gilt edges (net), $2.50. 

SMITH'S BIBLE DICTIONARY, comprising its Antiquities, Biog- 
raphy, Geography and Natural History, with numerous maps and illus- 
trations. Edited and condensed from his great work by William 
Smith, LL. D. 776 pages, 8vo, many illustrations, cloth, $1.50. 

THE BIBLE TEXT CYCLOPEDIA. A complete classification of 
Scripture Texts in the form of an alphabetical list of subjects. By 
Rev. James Inglis. Large 8vo, 524 pages, cloth, $1.75. 

The plan is much the same as the " Bible Text Book" with the valuable additional 
help in that the texts referred to are quoted in full. Thus the student is saved the time and 
labor of turning to numerous passages, which, when found, may not be pertinent to the 
subject he has in hand. 

THE TREASURY OF SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE; consist- 
ing of 500,000 scripture references and parallel passages, with numer- 
ous notes. 8vo, 778 pages, cloth, $2.00. 

A single examination of this remarkable compilation of references will convince the 
reader of the fact that " the Bible is its own best interpreter." 

THE WORKS OF FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS, translated by William 
Whiston, A. M., with Life, Portrait, Notes and Index. A new cheap 
edition in clear type. Large 8vo, 684 pages, cloth, $2.00. 

100.000 SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. By Rt. Rev. Samuel 
Fallows, A. M., D. D. 512 pages, cloth, $1.00. 

A complete Dictionary of synonyms and words of opposite meanings, with an appen- 
dix of Briticisms, Americanisms, Colloquialisms, Homonims, Homophonous words, Foreign 
Phrases, etc., etc. 

" This is one of the best books of its kind we have seen, and probably there is nothing 
published in the country that is equal to it." — Y. M. C. A. Watchman. 



new york. : : Fleming H. Revell Company - Chicago 



£t*nd for a list of contents of entire series. 



A LIBRARY OK CRITICAL LEARNING. 



PfllSffrt PRESET FRESEMT PflB[Nfl p RESfHll^ESf» i >K^CNTrPBFS[NfRES£NnPflES£lf' 



VOL VOL VOL VOL VOL W0 ' VOL |VoL VOlp/OL 

frlii iii.tv fefcs>N|x : |^ 




LIUINGi PAPERS 

ON PRESENT DAY THEMES. 

A SCRIES OFTEN VOLUMES COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS ON 
CHRISTIAN EVIDENCE, DOCTRINE AND MORALS. 

We wish to place this set of books in the library of every thoughtful 
minister. 

The set cannot but be desired as soon as their worth is known. 
The subjects treated are the leading topics of the day, and the writers 
are acknowledged authorities on the particular themes discussed. 

Note the remarkable list of names included among the contributors. 



Principal Cairns, 

Rev. C. A. Row, 

W. G. Blaokie, D.D., LL.D., 

Pbebendaey Row, M.A., 

Rev. Noah Poetee, D.D., 

Canon Rawlinson, 

S. R. Pattison, F.G.S., 

Db. Fbiedbich Pfaff, 

Dean of Canterbury, 

Heney Wace, D.D., 

Rev. W. F. Wilkinson, M.A., 

James Legge, LL.D., 

Rev. W. G. Elmslie, M.A., 

Dean of Chestee, 

J. Murray Mitchell, LL.D.. 

F. Godet, D.D., 

Eustace P. Condeb, M.A., D.D., 



Rev. James Ivebaoh, M.A., 

A. H. Bayce, M.A., 

Rev. J. Radford Thomson, M.A., 

Rev. William Arthur, 

Sir W. Muib, 

Rev. A. B. Bruce, D.D., 

Alexander Maoalister, M.A., M.D. 

Rev. G. F. Maolear^D.D., 

Rev. J. Stoughton, D.D., 

Rev. R. MoCheyne Edgar, M.A.. 

Rev. John Cairns, D.D., 

Sir J. William Dawson, F.R.S., 

Rev. W. S. Lewis, M.A., 

Rev. John Kelly, 

Rev. M. Kaufmann, M.A., 

^ ' XT 0N GlRDLBSTONE, 

.a... J others. 



Can you in any other shape add to your library so much valuabla 
material with so small an expenditure? 

These have until lately been sold at $1.25 per vol., $12.50 per set. 
The price has now been reduced to $10.00 per set, and we make the 
following 

Special Offer, viz.: We will send this remarkable set of books to 
any minister for the special net price of $7.50 Per Set. 



CHICAGO : 
148-150 Madison Street. 



Flemiqg H. I^eVell Co. 



NEW YORK : 
112 Fifth Ave., near 16th. 





1 

* 



o. 



